103: Leading through Turbulent Times with Alain Bejjani

Andrea is joined by Alain Bejjani, former CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Group, an international diversified conglomerate with ventures in shopping mall ownership and operation, hotel ownership and operation, retail stores, leisure and entertainment centers, and mixed-use residential communities, headquartered in the United Arab Emirates with operations in the Middle East and Africa. He served as CEO from February 2015 until January 2023. Alain shares his stories and learnings from his 8-year tenure as a CEO including revealing how he rallied teams through disruptive change and unprecedented crises. Listen in to this episode to learn how to drive digital innovation, empower your people, adapt in turbulent times, and align business with purpose. Alain distils profound lessons on authentic leadership, cultivating organizational culture, and finding opportunities amidst challenge!

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Communicate a compelling vision and create a burning platform to drive change even when times are good.
• Invest early in digital capabilities and customer experience to future-proof your business.
• Build an empowering, people-first culture that gives ownership and purpose.
• Stay resilient by focusing on progress over perfection.
• Walk the talk - tough decisions on people and resources show your commitment.
• Lead authentically; don't put on a mask at work. Merge your personal and professional values.

BEST MOMENTS

"Rejection and failure are part of the entrepreneurial journey; persist through the no’s to get to the yes."

"If Plan A doesn't work, the alphabet has 25 more letters. Stay persistent."

"The way we lead our company is just as important as what our company does."

"A crisis represents opportunity hidden in the challenge. Seize the chance to make changes not possible in normal times."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

The Big Leap

Leaders Eat Last

Principles by Ray Dalio

Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh

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ABOUT THE GUEST 

Alain Bejjani is a Lebanese business executive. He was the CEO of the Majid Al Futtaim Group, an international diversified conglomerate with ventures in shopping mall ownership and operation, hotel ownership and operation, retail stores, leisure and entertainment centers, and mixed-use residential communities, headquartered in the United Arab Emirates with operations in the Middle East and Africa. He served as CEO from February 2015 until January 2023.

Bejjani was born in Beirut, Lebanon in 1973. He studied law at the University of Paris XII Val de Marne and the Collège Notre-Dame de Jamhour. After graduating, he worked as a lawyer in Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates. In 2006, he joined the Majid Al Futtaim Group, where he held a number of senior positions. In 2014, he was appointed Chief Corporate Development Officer and Brand Officer. In 2015, he was appointed CEO.

As CEO, Bejjani oversaw the growth of the Majid Al Futtaim Group into a global leader in the retail, leisure, and hospitality sectors. He also led the company's expansion into new markets, such as India and China. In 2023, he was replaced as CEO by Ahmed Galal Ismail.

Bejjani is a member of the World Economic Forum's Global Future Council on the Future of Retail. He is also a board member of several companies, including the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

ABOUT THE HOST

My name is Andrea Petrone. I'm a Human Performance and Leadership Advisor, Executive Coach and International Speaker. I help leaders and their teams to change their mindsets and master their leadership capabilities so they can achieve extraordinary performance. I've been in the corporate world for more than 20 years working globally - in 6 countries and 3 continents - for medium-large companies.