Leader Background
Mohammed Abdulla AlGergawi was born in the Emirates in 1963 from a middle-class family that lives in Dubai. AlGergawi was among the first groups of Emiratis to complete their undergraduate studies abroad. Mohammed AlGergawi holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Eastern Michigan University (Mohammed AlGergawi, n.d). Before being spotted by the secret shopper, a monitoring program of Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, AlGergawi worked in the Ministry of Finance and Dubai Municipality and later in Dubai Economic Development where he was spotted by the secret shopper due to his outstanding performance.
Currently, Mohammed AlGergawi holds various economic positions in the Emirate of Dubai and the federal government of the United Arab Emirates. “His Excellency Mohammad AlGergawi is the Chairman of Dubai Holding that has started working for the holding company since its establishment, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Future of the Federal Government of the United Arab Emirates, Chairman of The Executive Office of the Government of Dubai.
He leads the development of the UAE Federal Government Strategy and oversees its overall delivery and performance” (Dubai Holding, n.d). In addition to that, he has positions in the education sector as he is a council member of the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU, n.d), a member of the national defense college Council (NDC, n.d) and the founding chairman of Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG, n.d).
AlGergawi started working with Dubai Holding since its establishment, and was appointed as a minister by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; moreover, AlGergawi holds the position of the deputy chairperson of Emirates Investment Authority (EIA, n.d). “Mohammed AlGergawi is responsible for a lot of economic developments and initiatives in Dubai. Gergawi is the COO implementing his boss’s vision of an emirate whose global footprint of a dynamic economic entity incorporates such traditional values as the emphasis on family life, respect for social diversity, and philanthropy” (Gupte, 2007).
During his career, Mohammed AlGergawi was responsible for various initiatives that were launched from Dubai, and the UAE. AlGergawi oversaw the inception of Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, the Dubai Press Club, and the Arab Journalism Award. He is also the Founding Chairman of the Young Arab Leaders and Chairmen of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation.
The Foundation aims to contribute to the development of a knowledge-based society in the Arab region by focusing on education (UNICEF, 2008), research and culture, and by empowering youth to find innovative solutions to regional challenges” (Mohammed AlGergawi, n.d). Moreover; according to AlGergawi’s LinkedIn profile (n.d), he is a delegate of the World Economic Forum and in addition to that awarded by high-level Moroccan Royal Award and The American Business Award. The different leadership roles AlGergawi takes part in makes it interesting to investigate his leadership style.
The success of AlGergawi’s Leadership
AlGergawi is the kind of person that is willing to take risks and face challenges to bring innovative ideas and initiatives on the table. By looking at the positions AlGergawi holds and has held it is notable that he has good time management skills and team leadership skills. With the diversity in organizations that AlGergawi leads or have led, during TV interviews or press interviews AlGergawi would refer his success to the teams that he cooperated with and attribute the success for the whole team, not himself. A leader’s success is measured by the success of his organization during his leadership and after he leaves since good leaders build long-term strategies and sustainable visions.
This is notable in organizations he is a member of such as Dubai Holding, World Government Summit Organization, Emirates Investment Authority, Dubai The Capital of Islamic Economy as well as other organizations and initiatives (Wam, 2016).
On the other hand, the success of organizations and initiatives that AlGergawi have chaired previously are noticeable domestically and internationally. Such organizations include the Dubai Shopping Festival, Dubai Cares, Dubai Government Excellence Award, Mohammed Bin Rashid Leadership Program, and others (AME Info, 2014). Without trusting his subordinates, teams, and delegating authorities, such achievements would not be feasible. Another factor that makes AlGergawi a great leader is that he has reached his position with the help of hard work, dedication, and achievement, it was neither for his connections nor merit.
References
AME Info. (2014). His Excellency Mohammed Al-Gergawi Honoured for his Leadership with the “Key to Dubai” at RECon 2014. Web.
AstroLabs: Hope for the Region. (2015). Web.
Dubai Holding. (n.d.). His Excellency Mohammad AlGergawi. Web.
EIA. (n.d.). Board of Directors. Web.
Gupte, P. (2007). Dubai Holdings and Mohammad Abdulla AlGergawi. Web.
MBRSG. (n.d.). About Us. Web.
Mohammed AlGergawi Speech. ICSC MENA 2014 Gala Dinner. (2014). Web.
Mohammed AlGergawi. (n.d.). Web.
NDC. (n.d.). College Higher Council. Web.
UAE Gov. (2015). Emirates Leaders and Global Leadership. Mohammed AlGergawi Speech in the White House. Web.
UAEU. (n.d.). University Council Members. Web.
UNICEF. (2008). UNICEF and Dubai Cares Join Forces to Help Provide Education for One Million Children. Web.
Wam. (2016). Mohammed Directs World Government Summit to Build Year-Round Platform. Web.
World Economic Forum. (2007). Dalian 2007 – Global Risks to Global Growth. [Video file]. Web.
World Government Summit. (2014). Mohammed AlGergawi Interview with “Sky News Arabia”. [Video file]. Web.