I have worked for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for over twenty years now in a number of capacities and have had the privilege to watch him in action. I think one of the most remarkable things about the way he works is his decision-making. It is incisive and yet considered, there are few decisions I have seen him take that haven’t involved multiple inputs from multiple stakeholders and he will rarely rule on an issue without having considered opposing views.
I have found, over the years, that a number of decisions that have been key to the growth and development of Dubai have followed some guiding principles, which I think we can formalise in some way as a set of principles.
Inspire
Launching the Jumeirah Hotels group showed the way for other hoteliers in developing a vibrant and competitive luxury hotel sector in the city. When operators were doubtful and slow to commit and invest in the future, the launch of Jumeirah showed confidence and drive ahead that gave both a challenge and confidence to others in the market.
Compete
When Gulf Air demanded an end to Dubai’s Open Skies policy, Sheikh Mohammed’s answer was to launch Emirates. Defending a competitive market, he launched a competitor within that market.
Have Vision
Launching Dubai Internet City was a visionary move, creating the model for a number of economic zones that would define the future of Dubai’s economic growth. Creating a real estate market, building visionary projects such as the Palm Jumeirah and attractions such as the Burj Khalifa (the anchor for over $20bn of real estate projects), DP World, Dubai International, Dubai South – they are all elements of a larger vision which he has had for decades.
Be Agile
His Highness once asked, ‘When running water meets a rock, does it stop? No, it moves to either side in search of a way forward’. When US political opposition to the P&O acquisition threatened to derail the move, the decision to divest the US holding quickly put the problem behind and gave space to focus on building the future. And in 2008, when the global financial crisis came, he urged us to see the long term and continue to build for the future, to find new ways to grow and develop. Today the UAE is the second strongest economy in the Arab world.
Work with Love
Throughout all of this time, with the very great changes we have created as our nation has developed and flourished, the love for that nation and its people has been at the core of everything I have witnessed take place. His Highness has asked much of his people, has tasked them with being adaptable, tolerant and forward thinking, has demanded they invest in the future and give to their nation in order that we create a rising tide to lift all of us. They have responded to him with remarkable vigour and a spirit that truly inspires and uplifts our nation.
H.E. name : Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi
