A TOP Dubai-based executive with over 30 years of global expertise in business operations, strategy, leadership, and business development will be one of the key speakers at a BPL Africa Connect international business conference to be held in Harare on May 9.
Ahmed Hassan, a partner at CEO Coaching International, has diverse experience that spans nine countries and four continents, including leading brands and businesses ranging from US$10 million up to US$1 billion.
“The business landscape today is unforgiving. Companies must be agile, resilient, and laser-focused on profitable growth, even in the face of constant change and uncertainty,” he said ahead of the conference, which will be held at Celebration Centre and will run under the theme “Strategic Agility in a Dynamic Environment”.
Hassan says he has made it his mission to equip the next generation of CEOs and C-suite leaders with the skills and a mindset to thrive in dynamic conditions.
“As a coach, my role is to help leaders develop the tools and mindset to not only weather the storms, but to emerge stronger than ever,” he said.
In today’s world, where disruption and uncertainty are rampant, the ability of business leaders to guide their organisations through turbulent waters has become more crucial than ever. Hassan’s leadership approach is based on the idea that effective leadership is not about forceful or dominant behaviour, but about creating a culture of adaptability, empowerment, and shared purpose. He believes true leadership involves creating an environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute, think creatively, and pivot as needed.
This requires building trust, fostering open communication, and aligning the entire organisation around a common vision. This leadership philosophy has been especially important during the Covid-19 pandemic, which disrupted business models and required leaders to reconsider everything from supply chains to employee engagement.
Hassan said companies that thrived during Covid include those that quickly adapted their strategies, empowered their teams, and remained focused on their customers. “To achieve this, leaders need to have the courage to make tough decisions, the humility to learn from mistakes, and the resilience to keep moving forward,” he said.
For Hassan, one of the hallmarks of effective leadership in turbulent times is a deep understanding of the customer – their needs, their pain points, and their evolving expectations.
“In a world where disruption is the new normal, companies can no longer afford to be disconnected from their customers,” he asserts. “Successful leaders must be able to anticipate shifts in the market, stay agile in their responses, and cultivate a culture of customer-centricity throughout the organisation.”
This means investing in customer research, embracing digital tools and analytics to gain richer insights, and empowering front-line teams to be the voice of the customer.
It also requires a willingness to challenge assumptions, experiment with new approaches, and quickly pivot when necessary. Underpinning all of Hassan’s work as a coach and leadership advisor is a deep belief in the transformative power of organizational culture.
He firmly believes that the companies that will thrive in the years ahead are the ones that have built a culture of resilience, agility, and shared purpose. “Culture is the invisible glue that holds an organization together. It’s what gives people a sense of belonging, a shared understanding of the mission, and the courage to take risks and push boundaries,” he said.
