Hala Batainah 
A friend and I were discussing the difference between personal brand and personal reputation, and we ended up having a great conversation that I want to share. We talked about how, in this modern era, where digital presence and networking play crucial roles in both personal and professional success, terms like “personal brand” and “personal … Read more
I was in Petra (one of the 7th wonders of the world) last week and took a 1,000-steps, one-hour hike up to the El-Deir (the Monastery), an amazing structure carved into a mountain and built by a people long gone. During the climb, as I focused on the steps ahead of me, the searing heat … Read more
I am in a part of the world steeped in history. From the Greeks to the Romans, Byzantines to Nabateans, I tread on lands once walked by generals, soldiers, prophets, travellers, merchants, builders, and creators. Millennia of civilisations have risen and fallen here and the remnants they left behind never fail to awe me. This … Read more
I am travelling for July, and my journey began with multiple airlines and several long-haul flights. Arriving at my destination had me reflecting on the concept of teams. The flight crews on each of the four flights sparked this train of thought. I remembered reading some time ago that flight crews often come together for … Read more
A mentor of mine once imparted a piece of wisdom that took years for me to grasp fully (mentors tend to have this effect, by the way). He said there is a significant difference between being and doing, and that I was in “doing” mode way more than “being” mode. At the time, his words … Read more
In a world increasingly driven by social media, instant updates, and the perpetual need to present the best version of ourselves, the age-old adage “comparison is the thief of joy” rings truer than ever. While not new, this phenomenon has found fertile ground in modern times, affecting our personal lives, professional development, and leadership mindset … Read more
Ah, the busy person. We love them. Society loves them. We love ourselves for being busy. In today’s world, being busy is often worn as a badge of honour. The more packed our schedule, the more successful we must be, right? Not necessarily. While being busy might make one feel productive, it is not always … Read more
Imagine a leader who does all the talking, never seeks input from their team, and assumes they have all the answers. It is safe to say that this leader will not be very effective in the medium to long term. In the world of leadership, one of the most underrated yet indispensable skills is the … Read more
Conflict in the workplace is something we all will encounter at some point in our careers. It is unavoidable when people work together. Conflict can be a source of stress and tension, whether in disagreement over how a project should be handled or a clash of personalities. I don’t know of any conflict-free workplace. The … Read more
In today’s fast-paced and competitive world, the pressure to conform can be overwhelming, which has always struck me as silly – if everyone was the same, how could we differentiate, diversify and add new value? I have seen many an organisation and manager who often have their vision of what an ideal employee should look … Read more