Success depends on 'ability to innovate'

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan present Golden Peacock Business Leadership Award to Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem at the convention in Dubai on Wednesday. - Photos by Shihab

A mutual respect for universal values has enabled the deep and enduring friendship between UAE citizens and the Non-Resident Indians who have helped and who continue to help the UAE develop as a peaceful and prosperous global crossroads, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, said on Wednesday.
Addressing the Dubai Global Convention organised by the Institute of Directors, Sheikh Nahyan said a mutual respect for those universal values is the basis for the bond struck recently between His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He said leaders in this age must have a global view and an understanding of how their organisations, their countries, and their regions fit into the global context.
"Leadership in this age is required to understand that our future success depends on our ability to innovate and create new knowledge, new technologies and new products and processes. Success depends on building relationships across boundaries and borders and strengthening cooperation at all levels," Sheikh Nahyan said at the convention based on the theme "Driving Performance Excellence Through Disruptive Innovation and Visionary Leadership."
He said the UAE, which hosts people of 200 different nationalities, is comfortable with globalisation "because we are willing and able to connect beyond our borders in a curious, somewhat adventurous, and always respectful fashion.'
"We have acknowledged that diverse elements constitute our world. We have not demanded that people different from us shed their identity and become instead reflections of us. We have recognised universal values that we share with other people. We have come to judge people by their actions, not their nationality, culture, ethnicity, religious or philosophical beliefs, gender, language, or physical appearance. We know as well that knowledge comes from all over the world. We are not the exclusive source of knowledge," said Sheikh Nahyan.
Two corporate leaders from Dubai were honoured at Dubai Global Convention and Golden Peacock Awards Presentation by the Institute of Directors.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, and Dr Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Group Chairman, Al Habtoor Group, were conferred respectively with Golden Peacock Business Leadership Award and Golden Peacock Business Lifetime Achievement Award for Business & Social Inclusiveness at ceremony.
Sheikh Nahyan and Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Emirates airline and group, and Chairman of Dubai World, presented the awards.
Addressing an IOD session on the first day, Dr. BR Shetty, founder and Chairman, NMC Healthcare and UAE Exchange, said constant innovation, cost-consciousness, encouraging innovative ideas and treating everyone with love and respect would help any business grow and flourish.
Talking on "Enterprise Governance: Visionary Boardroom Leadership," Shetty said his simple rule of governance came from his mother's teachings that "do whatever you wish and go wherever you may desire, but ensure that you do good to at least ten people around you."
"To me the governance of the enterprise has only meant to be making the lives of people better and comfortable. They in turn 'govern' your wellbeing. There was a time that I used to remember all the names of all of the employees. Not only that, I used to remember what their parents are and where their children are studying," Shetty recalled.
He said the same principle applies to boardroom leadership. "My goal is to ensure the best returns to my shareholders and once I am proved right the board follows me in every step that I undertake as they have confidence in my decision making," said Shetty. - issacjohn@khaleejtimes.com