MUSCAT, DEC 10
The 14th Annual Leadership Conference, held on December 10-11 at the Grand Millennium Muscat, convened global thought leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to discuss transformative leadership strategies essential for Oman’s future. Held under the auspices of His Highness Sayyid Marwan bin Turki al Said, Governor of Dhofar, the event aligned its discussions with Oman Vision 2040, focusing on leadership’s pivotal role in shaping sustainable growth.
Organized by Al Assayel for Development, the conference highlighted themes such as inspirational leadership, cultural transformation, and emotional intelligence. Aimed at both public and private sector leaders, the event sought to redefine leadership paradigms to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
Sayyid Salim al-Busaidi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Labour for Human Resources Development, articulated the event’s importance. He emphasized that the conference is more than just a gathering; it is a cornerstone in Oman’s pursuit of sustainable development through strong leadership.
According to Al-Busaidi, “This conference serves as a key platform to support Oman Vision 2040, where leaders play a vital role in driving transformative change.” He highlighted the critical need to equip leaders with the tools to manage global challenges while fostering innovation and resilience.
Corporate sponsorship also played a pivotal role in the event’s success. Ashraf al-Maamari, CEO of OQ Group, expressed pride in supporting the initiative as the golden sponsor. He described the sponsorship as a reflection of OQ’s commitment to human capital development. “At OQ, we believe in empowering our employees and creating value for stakeholders through growth, innovation, and leadership excellence,” Al-Mamari said. His remarks underscored the private sector’s role in fostering leadership and contributing to national development goals.
The conference’s keynote speaker, Stephen M. R. Covey, delivered a powerful opening address on the theme Leadership and Change: Inspiring Growth and Potential. Covey drew on a vivid metaphor to explain the essence of leadership in today’s dynamic world. He described Death Valley, California, one of the driest places on Earth, which transformed into a vibrant field of wildflowers after an unusual rainfall in 2005. This phenomenon, he explained, symbolizes the dormant potential within individuals and teams.
“Leadership is about creating the right conditions for this potential to thrive,” Covey stated. “It is not about control but about inspiring growth and meaningful contribution.” This idea set the tone for the discussions that followed, challenging traditional leadership models and advocating for a more human-centered approach.
Covey elaborated on the need to move away from the outdated command-and-control leadership style, which prioritizes managing people and controlling outcomes. Instead, he introduced the “Trust and Inspire” model, which focuses on building trust, fostering emotional connections, and inspiring purpose.
He outlined five key principles for modern leaders: Recognizing that potential exists in everyone and nurturing it; Leading with both hearts and minds by building emotional trust and meaning; Embracing abundance over scarcity to encourage collaboration and innovation; Prioritizing stewardship over ownership, focusing on responsibility rather than control; and Understanding that transformation begins from within, with personal growth as the foundation for effective leadership.
In his address, Covey emphasized the power of trust in driving team performance and resilience. “High-trust cultures foster collaboration and innovation, creating an environment where individuals can thrive,” he explained. Covey also highlighted the critical role of inspiration, noting that inspired teams are significantly more productive than those merely satisfied. By connecting individuals to a deeper sense of purpose, leaders can unlock exceptional potential.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
