Introduction
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become one of the most successful states in the Middle East and across the globe. In the 1970s, Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan launched a new plan that was intended to transform the country and make it a force to reckon with on the international stage. The concept of strategy is important since it helps leaders define their objectives, outline the desirable values, and redefine the much-needed roadmap to success. The international complex system presented a major challenge for the UAE since numerous ideas, rules, cultural dynamics, economic attributes, and organizations were informed and worth considering. Despite the existing obstacles, Sheikh Zayed remained visionary and focused on evidence-based approaches to take the country to the next level. His transformational and strategic leadership abilities explain why he was selected for this paper. The objective of this paper is to describe the direction, alignment, and commitment Sheikh Zayed implemented in the UAE as part of his leadership strategy.
Direction
To support the establishment of a superior and sovereign state, Sheikh Zayed knew that the most important aspect to consider was that of promoting national security. This achievement would present a sense of direction and encourage more people to remain committed and willing to be involved in nation-building efforts. To realize this goal, Sheikh Zayed had to present a sense of direction as one of the primary pillars of his leadership strategy. This effort would be supported by a powerful policy founded on three areas. First, the issue of security remained critical if he was to gain the confidence of the majority of the citizens and partners (ECSSR 2005). Second, the leader was keen to warn the global community that any form of aggression or threat would be dealt with accordingly. Third, Zayed was keen to maximize the interactional integrity and credibility of the country.
With this sense of direction, the country was on the right path towards achieving its primary objectives. The involved players focused on a better future, improved the country’s communication networks, and improved education. These minimum achievements recorded in the 1970s presented increased optimism and pride to the people. The leader went further to ensure that the government remained involved and ready to take national development issues to the next level (ECSSR 2005). Most of the people in the country and beyond realized that the leader was willing to transform and take the UAE to the next level.
To support the outlined mission, the foreign policy of the UAE would play a significant role and present a sense of direction. Specifically, the goal was “to cooperate with all nations and peoples on the basis of the principles of the UN Charter and the highest universal ethics” (ECSSR 2005, 219). The leader was keen to liaise with the Arab world, promote Islamic cooperation, and ensure that the promoted partnership promoted progress, security, and peace in the region and beyond. These attributes presented a powerful framework for taking the country closer to its goals.
Alignment
The strategic leadership Sheikh Zayed proposed relied on the power of alignment to ensure that positive results were realized. For example, the individual chose to partner with like-minded countries in the region to promote Islamic cooperation. The support of the country’s army was essential since it would help the department be involved in providing protection to the country’s critical infrastructure systems and resources. The promoted army would be critical in controlling the flow, acquisition, and use of oil to support economic development (ECSSR 2005). The notions of a strategic and political army were essential since they would help foster national progress and prosperity.
The establishment of different units in the country was essential to help defend most of the regions. While focusing on the goals of this nation, Zayed remained a political pragmatist as the leader of the country. Specifically, he believed that the concept of duality was essential whereby the UAE and Britain would remain committed to the welfare of the two nations. Zayed was keen to establish a positive relationship with Saudi Arabia, an approach that would deliver positive results. The process of cooperation between Sheikh Zayed and other people and states was essential since it was essential to supporting the regional economy. At the local level, Zayed chose to partner with “his fellow Rulers in the process of building unity within the United Arab Emirates” (ECSSR 2005, 230). Through most of the boycotts and initiatives, the global community would appreciate that the promoted collaboration was intended to foster Arab brotherhood and eventually promote economic resilience.
Commitment
To achieve most of the anticipated goals for the wider UAE, Sheik Zayed understood that there was a need to remain committed and consider the best approaches to establish a new and prosperous state. This leader was keen to consult widely with the Rulers and the region’s citizens. This approach was necessary to learn more about the issues and concerns the country was facing (Hedges 2022). With the increasing wealth from oil, Sheikh Zayed chose to liaise with different partners, consider the best ways to invest the available resources, and eventually secure the country’s future (ECSSR 2005). By being able to focus on the interests of the region’s future generations and managing wealth, the leader knew that the country would be on the right path towards achieving its aims.
Through the power of continuous commitment, Sheikh Zayed remained futuristic and chose to introduce important and timely changes that resonated with the demands and expectations of the people. Through cooperation, this leader knew that he could rely on the available oil wealth in a positive manner to support the goals of all people in the targeted Emiratis (Mabrouk 2018, 35). By being committed to the welfare and well-being of his followers, this leader was able to consult, identify existing hurdles, and address them from an informed perspective.
Through the power of Sheikh Zayed’s personal attributes, the region experienced one of the best leadership visions. After attaining full power, the UAE would be on the right path towards national security and economic prosperity. The leader encouraged partners and followers to remain committed, remain politically ideal, and promote ethical ideologies that were capable of supporting the UAE’s growth (Sowmya, Chandrasekaran, and Patterson 2018, 14). The promotion of such policies would result in the establishment of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), an association that showcased the sense of cooperation and commitment Zayed fostered during his days as a leader.
Future Forecast on UAE
The able leadership of Sheikh Zayed has helped the UAE attain its position as one of the successful states in the Middle East. The individual remained selfless, implemented an attainable vision, and remained committed to engaging partners and focusing on the best outcomes. The country would soon benefit from a stable military force, economic progress, and powerful resources. Based on these achievements, it becomes quite clear that the country will be in a position to record additional achievements in the near future (Mabrouk 2018, 38). For example, the state could become a role model for promoting sustainable cities, supporting the use of clean energy, and improving economic performance.
The current leaders examine the past achievements and progressive nature of Sheikh Zayed. This understanding could guide them to continue taking economic development to the next level, improve healthcare systems, promote industrial ideologies, and acquire futuristic technologies to improve people’s lives. The lessons would present more information about the best form of leadership for the country (ECSSR 2005). These gains will be supported by continuous collaboration and improvement of people’s experiences.
Personally, I have acquired numerous ideas and concepts that will impact my current work and future relationships with others. For instance, I have mastered the importance of having a vision, remaining committed, and liaising with others to deliver results. I will use the available resources and engage others to deliver meaningful change (Hashim 2020). As a leader, I will remain practical, ethical, and ready to respond to emerging challenges. I will have a unique work ethic that is intended to address the challenges and needs of my followers (Antwi-Boateng, 2020, 272). Additionally, I would be keen to treat other people as collaborators or partners if my organization or unit is to achieve the outlined goals.
Conclusion
The UAE is presently one of the most successful modern states in the world today. The able leadership of Sheikh Zayed led to a unified framework and objectives that presented a powerful roadmap towards achieving economic progress. The commitment, direction, and alignment attributes associated with this leader led to positive results within a short period. The lessons gained from this hero explain why the country is expected to pursue green energy, health support, and economic prosperity from the lens of strategic leadership. The emerging lessons will guide me to partner with others, implement change, and focus on greater gains in my life and workplace.
References
Antwi-Boateng, Osman. 2020. “The Role of Norm Entrepreneurship in Nation-Building: Sheikh Zayed of the United Arab Emirates.” Asian Journal of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies 14 (2): 268-287.
ECSSR. 2005. With United Strength. London: Bloomsbury Academic.
Hashim, Alamira Reem Bani. 2020. Planning Abu Dhabi: An Urban History. New York: Taylor & Francis Group.
Hedges, Matthew. 2022. Reinventing the Sheikhdom: Clan, Power and Patronage in Mohammed Bin Zayed’s UAE. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Mabrouk, Dalia Mohamed Mostafa. 2018. “Between Management and Leadership — A Comparative Study with Reference to (Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan and Nelson Mandela).” Open Journal of Social Sciences 6 (9): 35-47.
Sowmya, Damodharan Varadarajan, Anil Chandrasekaran, and Louise Patterson. 2018. “An Empirical Study of Leadership Styles in the UAE Human Resource Strategy.” Academy of Strategic Management Journal 17 (6): 1-22.