By Badran Al Hinai, Chief Corporate Officer
In today’s rapidly evolving workplace, leadership is no longer about simply giving direction, it’s about enabling progress, practicing empathy, and fostering open, two-way communication. Recent McKinsey studies show that teams empowered through transformational leadership principles, like autonomy, alignment, and strong purpose, deliver up to 30% efficiency gains and lasting performance improvements (McKinsey & Company, 2023).
As Chief Corporate Officer at MB Group, I view leadership as a dynamic, people-centric responsibility. It’s about treating the company as a community, equipping people with the tools they need to succeed, and making decisions that reflect a shared vision of prosperity, operational excellence, and stakeholder value.
The Evolving Definition of Leadership
For me, leadership is about facilitation, understanding people’s needs and ensuring they have the right environment and support to accomplish shared goals. My leadership has been shaped through working with teams across different functions and industries, where collaboration and adaptability are key. Over time, I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about avoiding challenges, because that approach isn’t sustainable. It’s about equipping ourselves and others with the mindset, skills, and resilience to face obstacles directly, with clarity, confidence, and composure.
Values That Anchor Leadership
Great leadership is rooted in vision, engagement, active listening, and problem-solving. A leader must see the future clearly and communicate that vision in a way that invites dialogue. Collaboration, transparency, and integrity are what leave a lasting impact.
Leadership in Action: From Advocacy to Transformation
I believe that leadership is built upon a philosophy of putting people first. It involves solving problems with empathy, aligning strategies with human needs, and shaping initiatives that reflect our shared values. One decision that continues to shape MB Group is our advocacy for HR digitization and the broader technology transformation across our organization.
Since 2014, we’ve come a long way, moving from Oracle to SuccessFactors and now to SAP S/4HANA, unifying our operations under one digital platform. In the HR domain alone, we’ve automated 21 manual processes automated since 2021, significantly improving both efficiency and employee experience. These changes are strategic investments in making MB Group stronger, more agile, and more connected globally.
Creating a Culture Where People Feel Heard
Leadership means creating an environment where every voice matters. With a multi-generational and multicultural workforce, empathy becomes the bridge that unites us. But empathy requires more than listening, it means listening with intent, understanding diverse perspectives, and crafting inclusive policies and practices that reflect that understanding.
Nurturing the Next Generation of Leaders
Leadership is MB Group’s core theme this year, and with good reason. Insights from our recent employee survey highlighted areas where leadership favorability can be strengthened across several Group companies. We’ve listened carefully to this feedback and are taking deliberate steps to enhance leadership effectiveness, all while upholding the strong reputation MB Group has built over the years.
In response, we launched the MB Leadership Development Framework (MBLDF), a tailored needs-based initiative customized for each subsidiary and country. MBLDF is about nurturing ethical leadership, reducing counterproductive internal dynamics, and fostering leadership styles aligned with local cultural values. At its heart, this framework focuses on both capability and character, because leadership is as much about how we behave as what we deliver.
Advice for Aspiring Leaders
To young professionals and emerging leaders, I offer this advice: broaden your perspective. Leadership is more than performance metrics. It’s about learning continuously, acting decisively, and always putting people first. Great leaders don’t wait for perfect conditions; they take thoughtful action and learn along the way.
Looking Ahead: Global Trends and Personal Lessons
Leadership around the world is evolving. The focus today is shifting toward ethics, emotional intelligence, and digital fluency. Organizations that want to thrive must invest in developing these qualities across their cultures.
Personally, my leadership journey has been shaped by many people, inside MB Group and beyond. But the most meaningful lessons have come from facing challenges. I’ve learned that avoidance only delays growth. Facing uncomfortable realities, remaining calm, and staying humble are the experiences that build resilience and lasting strength.
Conclusion: Leading with Purpose
At the core of effective leadership is a deep respect for people. It’s about building a culture where employees can thrive, innovate, and feel valued. As leaders, our job is to lead, inspire, empower, and grow alongside our teams.
Let’s commit to a style of leadership that goes beyond being results-driven, one that is human-centered, guided by values, and focused on the future.