It was a bustling day as I busied myself with preparing training materials for the course, when I noticed the HR personnel entering the office accompanied by a stylish gentleman. To my surprise, the man spotted me and exclaimed, “Mohammed! Are you here?” I couldn’t believe my ears. It was none other than the CEO himself, Mr. Ahmed Al Musalami, addressing me by my name in a friendly manner. This unexpected encounter left me awe-struck. We had last met in 2003, and now, in 2017, he still remembered my face and name.

This experience redefined my perception of a CEO in the modern age.

Little did I know, this was just the beginning of his remarkable interactions with all employees, as he consistently addressed each person by their names, leaving us all amazed.

Every Eid celebration, I would see him personally greeting and meeting with all employees, shaking their hands, and offering short yet meaningful messages. His charismatic approach won the hearts of everyone. Despite the age of information and technology, he managed to preserve Omani culture and traditions within the organization. Such a feat is no easy task, yet he carried it out with immense energy and enthusiasm.

The journey from Bank Sohar to Sohar International under the leadership of Mr. Ahmed Al Musalami was an invaluable lesson for me. He revolutionized banking by imbuing it with a fresh perspective and purpose for clients. Quoting Bill Gates, he emphasized the importance of banking while downplaying the significance of banks themselves during one of our annual functions. This was not merely a journey; it was a new direction, a novel approach to conducting banking and business that bridged the country’s economy with the global landscape.

With his visionary foresight, his predictions are becoming a reality. Nowadays, I hardly see customers visiting the bank’s premises for financial transactions as they used to in the past. Instead, they conduct their banking from the comfort of their homes, offices, or coffee shops.

One day, as I strolled through the corridor, he greeted me with a congratulatory remark. I was taken aback. He explained that he had seen my book on LinkedIn. That simple word, “congratulations,” filled me with immense joy. It may have seemed like a small gesture, but for me, it served as a powerful engine of motivation. He consistently encourages his staff, recognizing their talents and activities even beyond the bank and in social media.

Don’t we all yearn for such leadership to work with and be part of a journey towards success at every step? Don’t we crave to collaborate with an unstoppable leader who steers the organization in the right direction?

Through my interactions with the CEO, I realized that such leadership success does not come easily. It requires sacrifices, constant efforts, and a steadfast commitment to thinking in the right way to achieve the desired outcomes. My encounters with my CEO made me contemplate the essence of true leadership and how it is cultivated.

Disclaimer : The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of TAS and TAS does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.