Workforces across the country are to welcome 20,000 Emiratis as a part of the recently launched Absher Initiative, which calls on the private sector to take part in advancing Emiratisation.
The initiative is based on four pillars: job creation, training, encouraging nationals to join the private sector and launching strategic partnerships. Because most leaders in the private sector have not had the privilege of working with Emiratis, let's discuss what to do when they join your team.
First of all, leaders need to defy the myths, which the market is ripe with.
As is common with myths, many here are unfounded, fabricated or exaggerated. If you listen to conversations in the expat community, a common myth is that if you hire a national, he or she will take your job.
When I hear this, I like to ask for examples of when this has happened in reality. Rather than having personally experienced it or even having detailed personal examples, the myth-bearer refers to a nebulous "friend" (whose name or exact details they cannot remember).
Another insulting myth is that nationals will not work hard. Just the other day, I listened to a leader who said he would hire any Emirati who would show up before 8am and work past 6pm. So I asked, "What time do you usually reach the office?" Without recognising the inconsistency he replied, "Around 9.15 each morning." This myth is unfounded as a generalisation of the local workforce and needs to be kept in check.
When welcoming national colleagues to your team, begin by believing in their ability and attitude. Your belief is fundamental in maintaining their conviction that they will succeed at your company. When a leader does not believe in his team, the followers quickly see through this and it impedes their performance. Uphold high expectations and lead to make them come true.
The next action for any leader is supporting the growth of his team. Emphasis should be given to nurturing the local workforce's achievement orientation, including capability, self-efficacy, behaviour and resilience. This action has a direct mutual benefit.
Be brave and assign challenging work to overcome a recurring historical breakdown.
There are stories of locals turning up to work and their managers refusing to give them any real work. When work is not challenging, employees lose interest. Why should we expect anything different in the local market? The UAE's history proves that when given challenging work and an environment to perform, Emiratis deliver. The final point is to spend time learning from your local colleagues. If you allow them, they will provide tips on how to work and lead that may be different from your native background. These sneak peeks should inform your self-improvement agenda.
In short, my advice when welcoming an Emirati colleague to your team is to lead them like you do every other team member whom you expect to succeed.
As Emiratisation is a national priority for 2013 and an important factor in developing the economy, I hope that every leader in the private sector, whether at local companies or multinationals, supports it.
Tommy Weir is an authority on fast-growth and emerging-market leadership, an adviser and the author of The CEO Shift. He is the founder of the Emerging Markets Leadership Center
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
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Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
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Sabri Razouk, 74
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Married, father of six
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Must-eat weekly meal: Steak with beans, carrots, broccoli, crust and corn
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Thu Oct 26, 1st T20I, Abu Dhabi
Fri Oct 27, 2nd T20I, Abu Dhabi
Sun Oct 29, 3rd T20I, Lahore
Tickets are available at www.q-tickets.com
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
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What are NFTs?
Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.
You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”
However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.
This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”
This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Jawan
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Racecard
6pm: The Pointe - Conditions (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m
6.35pm: Palm West Beach - Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (T) 1,800m
7.10pm: The View at the Palm - Handicap (TB) Dh85,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
7.45pm: Nakeel Graduate Stakes - Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m
8.20pm: Club Vista Mare - Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,900m
8.55pm: The Palm Fountain - Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,200m
9.30pm: The Palm Tower - Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,600m
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