Tuesday 16 / September / 2025
The Leadership and Management Development seminar, hosted by the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), affirmed that leadership and managerial development is a fundamental pillar in enhancing the efficiency of national talent. It emphasised the importance of improving leadership and management skills for business owners, executives, decision-makers and HR development specialists through training and education on new strategies and techniques. The seminar also underlined the need to develop leadership capabilities, enhance administrative efficiency, and explore the latest trends in leadership and management.
The seminar was held under the patronage of His Highness Sayyid Luay bin Ghalib bin Khalid Al Said, in the presence of Sheikh Faisal bin Abdullah Al Rawas, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, along with members of the State Council, their Excellencies, dignitaries, business leaders, and entrepreneurs. A distinguished group of experts and business leaders from within and outside the Sultanate of Oman also took part. The event was hosted at W Muscat Hotel.
Enhance national talent
Sheikh Faisal bin Abdullah Al Rawas, Chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated that the Leadership and Management Development Seminar reflects the OCCI’s commitment to strengthening the capacities of national talent and refining the skills of business owners in line with the requirements of the renewed renaissance and the goals of Oman Vision 2040. He added that leadership today goes beyond resource management, encompassing innovation, inspiration and the ability to transform challenges into opportunities.
He stressed that the seminar, with its working papers, panel discussions, and interactive dialogue, demonstrated the importance of investing in human capital as the driving force of development, and the necessity of adopting modern leadership and managerial strategies that enhance the competitiveness of the national economy and support business sustainability. He affirmed the Chamber’s constant commitment to supporting such initiatives that open new heights for national leaders, empower youth, and strengthen women’s participation in economic development, achieving balance between economic growth and social stability.
Leadership and management development
Areej bint Mohsin Al Zaabiyah, board member of OCCI and Chairwoman of the OCCI's Business Women's Committee, said the seminar was aligned with the OCCI’s strategic direction of improving the business environment, in harmony with the goals of Oman Vision 2040. She explained that leadership today is no longer just a position or responsibility, but rather a science and art based on inspiration, change management, and the ability to handle crises with confidence and wisdom.
She added that leadership and management development represents a cornerstone in enhancing the efficiency of national talent, equipping them with the latest skills and tools to make effective and innovative decisions, build strong professional networks that enhance productivity, support innovation, and raise the competitiveness of the national economy, ultimately ensuring business sustainability and investment growth.
Al Zaabiyah also pointed out that the seminar, through its papers, discussions, and interactive sessions, aimed to develop leadership capabilities, stimulate innovation, and strengthen economic ties across different sectors.
Inspirational leadership
Swati Mandela, Chairwoman of the Mandela Institute for Humanity, presented a paper entitled ‘Inspirational Leadership in a Rapidly Changing World and Crisis Management.’ She highlighted the importance of leadership built on vision, values, and example, particularly during crises.
She noted that the world today moves faster than ever, technologies change overnight, policies shift within weeks, and economies rise and fall within months.
“Leadership is not tested in calm waters, but in storms,” she said.
Recalling her grandmother Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, she emphasised how leadership is born in adversity, “She was not just the wife of the late Nelson Mandela, but a leader in her own right. She endured harassment, exile, imprisonment, saw her home burned, lived under surveillance and attack, raised her children during Mandela’s 27 years in prison, yet never broke down. Growing up with this legacy taught me that true leadership rises from the ashes.”
Empowerment and self-leadership
Aisha Alfardan, Vice Chairwoman of the Qatar Businesswomen Association, presented a paper entitled “Personal Empowerment, Inner Change, and Self-Leadership.” She affirmed that true empowerment begins within, and that self-leadership and internal change are essential foundations for sustainable progress at the individual, community and economic levels.
She explained that her professional and personal journey convinced her that change is a choice available to all, and that the moment one believes in oneself is the moment life’s equation shifts entirely.
“Empowerment is not a reward granted, but a journey built,” she said.
Alfardan stressed that empowerment means giving women a meaningful voice in decision-making, providing equal opportunities in the workplace, and creating space for expression without fear. She pointed out that many female entrepreneurs in the region have proven that change starts with an internal decision.
She described self-leadership as the ability to guide oneself towards clear goals with inner willpower, calling it an indispensable life skill in today’s world of constant pressures and distractions. She further emphasised that Arab women hold vast untapped potential, and their steady steps toward empowerment and self-leadership will make them a catalyst for change and a driver of their nation’s progress and economy.
Panel discussion
A panel discussion titled ‘Inspirational Leadership in a Rapidly Changing World: Between Self-Empowerment and Crisis Management’ featured Ayman bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Vice Chairman of SABCO Group; Dr. Aflah bin Said Al Hadhrami, General Manager of Petroleum Development Oman (PDO); Swati Mandela, Chairperson of the Mandela Institute for Humanity; and Aisha Alfardan, Vice Chairwoman of the Qatar Businesswomen Association.
The panel addressed how inspirational leadership influences workplace environments in large companies, the practical translation of leadership in high-pressure environments, the role of institutional leadership in empowering employees and fostering innovation, as well as a global perspective on the traits of an inspirational leader in today’s rapidly changing world.
Interactive dialogue
The seminar also featured an interactive session entitled ‘Challenges and Opportunities in a Transforming World.’ Dr. Amer bin Awadh Al Rawas, Chairman of Concordia Group, discussed the challenges facing business owners amid international and regional shifts, while exploring opportunities arising from economic changes. He also reviewed strategies for balancing challenges and opportunities to enhance business sustainability.
Accompanying exhibition
Alongside the seminar, an exhibition was hosted for SMEs to showcase their products, services, innovations and initiatives across various sectors. The exhibition created opportunities for networking and knowledge exchange among participants.
