Every now and then comes a man that changes the face of a certain
industry, think Steve Jobs in technology and Mohamed Ali in fighting.
However, not every so often comes a man who changes the face of true
leadership.
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime
Minister of the UAE and ruler of its star emirate, Dubai, is the man to
look up to. Here is why we think every modern leader should follow
Sheikh Mohammed’s footsteps:
1. He shaped Dubai
What Dubai is now is the result of the relentless effort of hundreds
of thousands people, but let’s face it, Sheikh Mohammed is who set the
whole thing in motion. From Dubai Media City and Dubai International
Finance Center to the Palm Islands and Burj Khalifa, he oversaw
countless projects that has put Dubai on the map of leading cities in
the world. Nobody can deny that Dubai would be nowhere where it is right
now if it weren’t for this man.
2. He believes in the power of the young
It’s a concept we much lack and need in other Middle Eastern
countries. If you consider his team and Dubai’s governmental employees,
you will find that they are mostly made up of young men and women.
Sheikh Mohammed believes in the fresh ideas and impalpable energy that
you can only find in the youth.
3. He’s always aiming to be number one
“I want Dubai to be number one, not in the region, but in the world.
Number one in everything: high education, health, housing. [I want to]
Give my people the highest way of living.”
To Sheikh Mohammed, there is only one way Dubai can go, and that is the way to being the number one city in the world.
4. He shows appreciation
In every occasion and in every speech he makes, he never fails to
show true and deep appreciation to each and every one of his team and
employees. He always reminds them how big of a contribution they are
making to Dubai’s development on every level.
5. He has zero tolerance for corruption
From the famous 2001 arrest incidence of the head of Dubai Customs
back then, Obaid Saqr bin-Busit, to many other arrests of high profile
officials, Sheikh Mohammed has always shown that when it comes to
corruption, no one is above the law.
6. He knows how to use social media
He is one of the most active world leaders on social media. And
instead of hiring someone to manage his social media for him, Sheikh
Mohammed takes to personally posting on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
7. He has time for his hobbies
You would think that with his relentless efforts to make Dubai rise
even higher that he has no time for practicing anything in his free
time. However, the ruler of Dubai is an avid equestrian, winning the FEI
World Endurance Championship in 2012, and a recognized poet in Arabic.
8. He’s a visionary
Looking ahead is not easy when you’re leading an entire nation, but
Sheikh Mohammed makes it seems like an easy task. He’s already selling
the future, making plans for not just the next year, but the next decade
to ensure the brightest future for the UAE.
9. He gives back
From launching campaigns to provide the less privileged with a chance
of education to providing treatment and health services for the
visually impaired, Sheikh Mohammed has launched and funded many
charities and organizations.
He also uses his accounts to raise awareness for great causes, most recent of which is the
UAE Compassion campaign for winter relief of Syrian refugees.
10. He places high value on the environment
The UAE’s record breaking and rising to fame didn’t stop Sheikh
Mohamed from focusing on the environment. Burj Khalifa’s ‘green’
initiative, the landscaping is irrigated using a unique condensate
collection system. Water from the tower’s cooling equipment is
recovered, providing an estimated 15 million gallons of water a year,
enough to fill 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools and this water is used to
irrigate the 11-hectare green oasis that surrounds the foot of the
tower.
The Author,
She is passionate about life,
with a severe case of wanderlust. She’s an avid sitcom watcher. Her
life’s theme song is Barbra Streisand’s “Don’t Rain On My Parade”.
