Business Leadership in the MENA Region - Case Study Example

Running Head: Business leadership in the MENA region Insert Name INSTITUTION Date Business leadership in the MENA region Queen Rania of Jordan who was born in Kuwait by Palestinian parents is the queen of Jordan and is one of the world’s most powerful women. Her recognition as a great leader is because of her tireless efforts either at home or abroad to champion global education through achieving the millennium development goal of universal primary education for all. Earlier in April 2008 she established “Madrasati” (“My School”), an initiative which targeted to refurbish 500 of Jordan’s public schools for a period of five years. Her efforts to support education initiatives were to an extent where she established the first interactive children’s museum in the kingdom to nurture lasting learning for children in Jordan in may 2007.Having supported higher education in the kingdom queen Rania went ahead to establish a scholarship program, the Queen Rania scholarship program which was partnered by several leading universities globally. Establishment of Jordan river foundation in 1995 was also a sign of exemplary leadership. This was to cater for the children’s welfare which was continually being neglected due to personal interests, political agendas and taboos. This helped address immediate children’s needs like child abuse thus it was to create awareness about violence against children which eventually led to death of children in Jordan. Her active support of Jordan’s tourism sector by offering back up to the organization as the Royal society for the conservation and nature, has really improved the kingdoms tourism sector. She also helped make Jordan a safe hospitable and unique tourism destination offering up to date services and on the other hand, observing the culture and authenticity .Tourism being a major economic booster plays a major role in revenue generation thus empowering the sector was a major initiative for Queen Rania. Queen Rania is a role model for my future career in that of business management is a good role model in that she demonstrates true leadership through empowerment of education globally. Leaders who truly believe in education as a weapon for prosperity do foster development. Equipping the youth with the skills necessary for them to better perform in a workplace is a major leadership strategy. As a leader also the aspect of dialogue is very important and thus Queen Rania who has been on the fore front to champion the importance of cross cultural and inter faith dialogue which helps foster more understanding. As a woman, she has cleared some misconceptions which have existed for the past decades that tolerance and acceptance across the world can be embraced particularly the west on their attitudes towards the Arab world. Her role in fostering values of tolerance and acceptance are a great motivator to anyone aspiring to being a leader. She has also tirelessly worked to promote intercultural dialogue through her initiatives to urge youths disregard stereotypes of Muslims and Arabs. As a business leader it’s very vital to motivate the upcoming entrepreneurs and this has been very well illustrated by Queen Rania through her establishment of Jordan River foundation which was working with an aim of encouraging low income entrepreneurs in Jordan in microfinance and income generating activities. Also empowering women is another initiative that I learn from Rania as women can be better managers than men thus empowering women to be key decision makers in their own projects are very major steps towards development and sustainability. As a leader improving the quality of life of the family as a unit for development is very vital. Queen Rania’s launching of JRF’s child safety program was an act of great leadership. The aim of this initiative as a leader is to address the rights of children and protect them from child abuse thus when as leaders we protect the rights of children and offer them protection against violence and negligence we are building a responsible society which can guarantee itself a great future and sustainability because of protecting their children. Hard work is another aspect that Queen Rania has demonstrated through her efforts to work internationally. As a queen, wife and mother she has also been accepted as a member board of trustees of the world economic forum. In November 2000 the United Nations children’s fund invited her to join its global leadership initiative due to her undying commitment to champion rights of children globally. Humanity is another element portrayed by Queen Rania to motivate future leaders. She being a member of the Board of Directors of the Vaccine fund she has empowered children’s health globally through providing accessible life saving vaccines to children in poor countries and also creating awareness and attention on the need to vaccinate every child. The kind of future leadership necessary in future for the United Arab Emirates should be oriented on innovation rather than imitation. They should dwell mostly on invention and coming up with new ideas .They need to be keen to assess the economic fluctuations in UAE and maximize on what has not been exploited .Intrapreneurs who exist in already existing organizations can really be innovative to bring in new products and services that will put into consideration cultural diversity and also the market globalization and penetration thus maximizing on their profits. As the transformational leadership suggests leaders should be innovative to transform their organizations to higher levels .They should be charismatic in their ideas and also should have belief in themselves rather than in others in every step they take in their leadership. But when innovating new ideas in UAE considerations like business environment like in the oil sector needs to be put in place. Like currently crude oil which is the leading industry with 35% contribution of GDP by 2007 followed by manufacturing sector can mistake one when making innovations in this sector which can result to overconfidence. And as the management theory suggests that people are motivated by reward and punishment. Therefore transformational leadership should entail getting a clear picture about the kind of risk one is about to take putting into consideration factors like global market which the oil sector in UAE has a dignified share. Future leaders should also be enthusiastic Transformational leadership in the UAE will entail arousing the workers thus motivating them to work beyond their framework. This will thus lead to identification of people with potentials like intrapreneurs within the organizations who will innovate new products and services and thus increase their market share both at home and also globally. Another important kind of leadership in the UAE is empowerment of women leaders. Considering that UAE is an Arab nation the rate of women leadership could be expected to be very low and this results to unexploited resources. This can be done through appreciating cultural diversity and also help women develop confidence to become future leaders.”Gender diversity is very important in leadership as women can bring different angle to men and intercultural and multicultural exchanges are the sort of things one needs to develop leadership skills”Dr Monica gallant. The purpose of the exchange is doing away with stereotypes that deny women in UAE chances in leadership. As the behavioral theory suggests leaders are made and not born therefore when we nurture these women and support them we would be strengthening the leadership in UAE. Another future leadership strategy required in UAE is consultative leadership. As management Guru, Kenneth Blanchard said: "The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority”. There is need for leaders who can continuously be involved in the development of their workers through involving them in constant dialogues thus empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs in the organization and thus improving their products and services. This also encourages platform to tackle some issues on cultural diversity within organizations. When you motivate them they will be more prepared to buy in the visions and values of their leader. As the relationship theory suggests people are motivated by people who inspire them. The other form of leadership required in UAE is leaders who consider cultural diversity in UAE.This is by analyzing the human differences that exist within societies as they greatly affect the business world. Considering the participative theory when a leader ensures that every one under him has equal right to participation then it’s easier to move the organization forward for the development of entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs in UAE who will be inventive and promote national growth and development. UAE needs future leaders who are effective and are humble and ready to serve their employees. Leaders who are not judgmental and embrace teamwork when handling problems within an organization .They need leaders who despite the ruthless competition in the global market they always improve their organization. They should also be leaders who can effectively study the trends on the global market and current economic trends and make their future plans based on them. MULTICULTURAL LEADERSHIP With the expanding global and adverse economy, there is need for modern leaders to work together towards a certain workforce. Leadership being a process where by people are influenced by others towards accomplishing an objective there is need for diversifying races and cultures to create opportunities among different communities . This can be achieved through ensuring that different companies employ people from every nationality age and gender. Diversifying the workforce will ensure change in leadership also. Multicultural leadership for the modern leaders entails non focus on personal interests and believes in focusing on welfare, harmony and unity. Future leaders should also focus on respect and polite interaction with others. It ensures working for a group success before personal gain. Multicultural leadership regards the best interests for the workers regardless of their ethnicity or culture. The modern leaders as per their nationalities need to embrace team work within an organization and also and humble themselves to stop the “boss system” embracing every persons unique character and learn to accept their differences. The aspect of family should be encouraged within organizations to reduce conflicts within an organization. This will help inculcate a feeling of responsibility to each an every employee. Another leadership skill that needs to be embraced by local leaders working in a multicultural workforce will be freedom towards employee’s spiritual beliefs. This will help to obtain in developing tight links and bonds spiritually within employees and thus greater impact when working together towards the organizations set goals and objectives. They should also change the way they develop the organizations goals, visions and missions. This should be done in a way that encourages participation among all the members within the organization. This helps boosting the employees self esteem and making them feel as part of the system thus increasing their zeal and drive thus making them work efficiently in the company. Leadership in a multicultural setting should be based on extensive research that provides a culture centered environment allowing opportunity to cater for the influence of each culture. This also promotes and ensures a culture that fulfills the individual’s needs and leaders through embracing differences. We can develop more effective leaders through developing the youths to be leaders at a very young age. This can bee done through introduction of management subjects in our high schools and also our universities such that every one is trained on leadership skills .We can also do it by rewarding those who illustrate leadership qualities with gifts to motivate them even become better leaders in the future. We can also develop better leaders by inviting successful leaders to give motivational talks to students on management and also the large organizations giving part-time internships to students in universities on managerial positions to develop in them better leadership skills. Universities can also be using their students to manage companies that they own and this improves the skills in those students and also it helps motivate them to embrace the leadership qualities like honesty, humility and courage. Companies can also develop leaders within their employees through assessing their hard work, sacrifice and command to identify potential leaders within themselves. This will encourage the employees to work hard and also make them much responsible. Companies can also do it by holding forums and seminars on management for their leaders to improve their leadership skills and improve the services they provide to the organization. References King, Queen join Jordanian children at opening of children's museum, Jordan Times, 23 May 2007. "Childrens' Museum of Jordan". Cmj.jo. http://www.cmj.jo/. Retrieved 2010-06-20. Interview with Il Messaggero, 13 May 2008. Queen calls emergency meeting to discuss child abuse cases, Jordan Times, 14 May 2009 "Ahel Al Himmeh". Himmeh.jo. http://www.himmeh.jo/?q=english. Retrieved 2010-06-20.  Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, Royal Patrons, Funders and Supporters. Conde Nast World Savers Congress, New York, United States, 23 September 2008. World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism Announces Partnership to Protect Jordan’s World Heritage Sites, World Heritage Alliance, 31 October 2007. Interview: Gateway to the Middle East, 2009. Ward, Susan. "Leadership." About.com n. page. Web. 30 Oct 2010. . "Concepts of Leadership." n. page. Web. 1 Nov 2010. . "Great Man theory." Wikipedia n. page. Web. 27 Oct 2010. . Read More