LEADERSHIP
The VISIONARY AND
United Arab Emirates recently celebrated a successful mission to planet Mars. Seeing what the leadership of UAE has achieved with desert to mega-city transformation of their country gives us an idea of what is to follow in the UAE’s extra-terrestrial endeavour. It is common practice for this young country to attribute this mission – a global-level achievement to the leadership of the nation – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Dubai) and His Excellency His Highness Khalifa Al Nahyan (Abu Dhabi). They, in turn attribute the vision’s credit to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan popular known as “Sheikh Zayed”. As the ruler of Abu Dhabi for more than 30 years, it is rare to find an expert in the country today, who would reference a one-on-one meeting with Sheikh Zayed but going by tales, reference, and history of the country,
I for one, secretly wished I had the opportunity of meeting him and tapping from his wealth of leadership and wisdom. While my wish is just a wish that will never come true due to the demise of this visionary leader, the impact of his vision cannot be denied.
Evidently, leadership is not a job title that comes with prescribed responsibilities. It is neither accorded nor given but earned and awarded by a community of followers, on behalf of an individual or group of individuals who show leadership prowess. A leader is a person whom, a community has decided to follow. Why and when is a function of the community not a dictatorship order to be obeyed or punished, if disobeyed. An acclaimed leader, with no follower is a self-imposed leader.
20 | BIZPRENEUR MIDDLE EAST May 2021
MISSIONARY LEADER
BY TOSIN EKUNDAYO