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Flashes of Thought: Lessons in life and leadership from the man behind Dubai by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (view source)
Revision as of 15:37, 13 March 2015
, 15:37, 13 March 2015no edit summary
I did feel a touch of scepticism creeping in when I read the first thought - ''Simplicity'' - where he speaks of prayers, breakfasting with the family, biking or horse riding in the desert, lunching with friends and walking on the beach, as the thought crept into ''my'' mind that it's easier for a rich man to live a ''simple'' life than for a man (or woman) who is struggling to make ends meet, hold a family together or cope with other hardships. But the basic point holds good - it's a mistake to over-complicate life. Similarly - and later in the book - he's a strong advocate of eating sensibly and certainly not to excess, as well as taking regular exercise, even if it's only walking.
So far as business and governance is concerned he's an advocate of getting things done, of having a wide vision and creativity - and rewarding it in others. This is, of course, easier when you are the head of a family business, your family have ruled the emirate Emirate since 1833 and you are an absolute monarch: democratic government and public companies create their own restrictions - whether you are in favour of the concepts or not. Once again though - the principles are sound. Why prevaricate when an action can do good?
The SheikSheikh's vision is constantly expanding to the point where he's actually achieving a lower percentage of it as time goes by, despite pressing forward, and his thoughts do motivate. They're all based in a deep respect for his religion and love of his country along with a sense of personal responsibility. Occasionally I had to remind myself that he was speaking in the context of an Arab country and that when he spoke of such things as having ''moved beyond the phase of empowering women'' this is a country where Sharia Law applies and that it is not - perhaps - what women in a western culture would recognise as empowerment.
Read the book - it's thought-provoking and motivating, but it also rewards further exploration. I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.