Leadership Development in Saudi Arabia: Shifting focus to a data-driven leadership
In the dynamic Saudi Arabian market, recognising and nurturing future leaders is an essential yet intricate endeavour. Similar to other Arab markets, the Kingdom benefits from a young, well-educated workforce as it adapts to the swift changes driven by ambitious nationalisation policies.
Businesses are clearly adapting to these policies by identifying and developing leaders through well-defined strategies that outline specific needs, timelines, and target audiences. To address these needs effectively, many firms attending HRSE KSA have opted to implement structured programmes that offer mutual benefits for both the organisation and its employees. Whether through robust attraction and selection approaches or a rigorous selective process, the aim is to attract and retain the best talent.
As the following interviews will highlight, the concept of leadership has shifted towards adaptability, resilience, and innovation. Here, we address the idea of 'Influenceship' — leadership through influence — which is becoming increasingly relevant, especially among the younger workforce who view influencers as their contemporary leaders.
It is evident that traditional methods of leadership development are being both challenged and transformed by the advent of artificial intelligence (AI). Generative AI has compelled companies to utilise self-assessment tools that identify individual development needs, aligning these with career pathways to support personalised development strategies. On one side, Rania AlGhamdi, Director of Talent Learning and Potential at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, discusses how AI will influence the way leaders are developing, whilst on the other, Paul Williams, an organisational expert at Hanmi Global Saudi, advises caution.
This e-book explores and discusses how leadership is evolving in Saudi Arabia through interviews and excerpts conducted prior to HRSE KSA. We aim to highlight that, to navigate this ongoing transformation, substantial upfront investment is required to align skills and foster career advancement, encompassing mentorship and coaching.
The HR Observer Editorial Team