Steering Success

Being a jack of all trades used to be an insult. Not anymore. Hiba Hassan breaks down what AI is really doing to the creative industry. Seducing us into mediocre outputs that feel good enough, and why that's the actual threat. We talked about polymaths, divergent thinking, the gap between creative education and what the industry actually needs, and why the humans who will thrive are the ones who k...

Execution doesn't get enough credit. Mostly because it isn't glamorous. Sajjad shares what it's like to build and grow in the Middle East — where pace, ambition, and complexity collide. About aligning teams, fixing systems, making hard calls early, and staying close to the customer when scale tries to pull you away. He brings an operator's honesty to how retail and e-commerce really work, beyond t...

What stood out most in this episode wasn't just the branding insights - though there were plenty of those too 💡 Some conversations remind you that branding isn't about what you say, it's about what people feel long after they've interacted with you. I sat down with Christian Eid, founder of DuckLife, to talk about what meaningful marketing actually looks like in practice - not theory. We unpacked...

Most would've played it safe. They didn't. And that changed everything. Every now and then, you meet founders who remind you why creativity still matters in business. Alexandria and Katie did exactly that. Their story is a reminder that brand loyalty doesn't come from ads. It comes from audacity. From doing the thing everyone else calls "too risky," "too niche," or "too extra." I f you're building...

If you've ever wondered what it's like to lead marketing for brands like Nike, Apple, Armani, and Majid Al Futtaim, this conversation is for you. Said has spent decades mastering the art of brand consistency, storytelling, and customer obsession, and in this episode, he shares the mindset, the lessons, and the behind-the-scenes moments that most people never see. From selling shoes at 15 to orches...

We talk a lot about culture in business but few people actually live it the way Sabahatt does. In this episode, we dive deep into how she's reshaping what it means to lead with humanity without compromising high performance. "We're not a charity. We're a business. But while you're on this football team, we'll help you show up for your life." From her thoughts on hiring "good humans," to why empath...

In this episode, we sit down with Ami to explore the evolving role of data in business—from being a background player to sitting at the very heart of decision-making. With over two decades of experience in transformation and leadership, Ami shares how data has reshaped strategy, leadership, and people management across industries. We dive into the misconceptions that hold leaders back, why asking...

In this phenomenal Season 3 opener, we sit down with Waseem Sayegh to unpack the real drivers behind career success — and spoiler: it's not just about the job. We explore how culture shapes business, why the first few hires can make or break a company, and how personal foundations like family support and life balance directly fuel professional growth. Waseem shares behind-the-scenes stories from l...

Hani Weiss shares his rise from trainee section manager to CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Retail, emphasizing the value of perseverance and learning from both great and challenging leaders. He highlights the importance of humility, accountability, and fostering a people-centric culture where trust and team empowerment drive success. Hani reflects on leading Carrefour's e-commerce journey, integrating onl...

Karim shares how RemotePass enables businesses to manage global teams seamlessly, offering services like onboarding, payroll, tax compliance, and perks in over 150 countries. Hear the inspiring story of how RemotePass pivoted from a travel industry solution to a remote workforce enabler during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. We discusses the importance of trust, commitment, and due dilige...

Esther, a seasoned HR leader, shares her transformative journey through coaching, self-discovery, and personal growth. We explore the critical distinction between self-worth and self-esteem, emphasizing that self-worth is intrinsic and not reliant on external validation. Esther delves into the parallels between parenting and leadership, highlighting the importance of nurturing others while also fo...

Hussein Wehbe discusses his transition from corporate to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of first building a solid foundation in the corporate world. He highlights the value of learning from multinational corporations to shape successful startup practices. The conversation explores the startup ecosystem's challenges, stressing the need for greater support and collaboration. People-cen...

Muhammad Chbib reflects on his journey from childhood ventures in Germany to success in the Middle East tech scene. He highlights the impact of McKinsey's structured problem-solving and mentorship on his entrepreneurial approach. Chbib stresses continuous learning, humility, and learning from failure as keys to success. He notes the Middle East's growing startup ecosystem, driven by increased capi...

Hanan takes us through her extensive 25-year career covering marketing roles in consumer insights, advertising, and strategic planning, with key positions at McCann, Nielsen, and Schweppes, before transitioning to hospitality at Atlantis Dubai. We delve into her shift from FMCG to lead marketing for Atlantis Dubai and her role as VP of Marketing for Atlantis The Royal and Atlantis The Palm, embrac...

Mohammed shares his career journey and insights into the consulting industry. We explore how taking risks and making career pivots lead to broader impact and growth, highlighting stepping out of comfort zones. The conversation highlights digital transformation revolutionizing the customer journey in consumer and retail, stressing the need for technological advancements. We examine growth opportuni...

Karl Tlais' career journey highlights the importance of pivoting, innovation, and building strategic partnerships, emphasizing their role in achieving professional success. We discuss the significance of reflecting on failures and learning from them, underscoring their crucial role in personal and professional growth. The conversation stresses the necessity of staying aware of industry changes and...

Kelly's career journey from corporate to startup reveals the challenges and rewards of transitioning between different business environments and the importance of adaptability in professional growth. We discuss the importance of empathy in the relocation process for employees moving to a new region, highlighting the need for supportive practices to ease their transition. Kelly shares the challenge...

Jennifer's diverse career journey, spanning marketing, communications, HR, and coaching, highlights the value of unconventional paths in professional development. We elaborate on our advocacy for broadening diversity and inclusion efforts, especially regarding disability inclusion, recognizing their transformative impact on organizational culture and success. Jennifer takes us through her experien...

Finding quality mentors in the startup ecosystem is challenging, and Abe emphasizes the need for diverse mentorship experiences.  Money isn't the ultimate solution for startups; Abe stresses the importance of access to the right investors, drawing from his experience. There's a misconception surrounding fundraising timelines, and Abe discusses the need for more angel investors to support early-sta...

• Sofia shares her preference for dynamic startups over slower-paced corporate environments, drawing from her experience in recruitment and talent acquisition in both settings • We emphasize on understanding reasons behind hiring decisions, particularly crucial in startups, and advocating for clarity and strategic planning in recruitment. • Advocacy for quality over quantity in recruitment, priori...

On today's episode, we are joined by Asim Janjua, Founder and CSO of Mamo Pay •Asim takes us through the journey of Mamo Pay, a UAE based payments startup, sharing insights into their journey and unique offerings in the fintech space. •The conversation highlights the challenges faced by businesses in the region, including delayed invoice payments and the role of technology, especially Mamo's autom...

On today's episode, we're joined by Saif Kidwai, Chief People Officer, who shares his journey: Saif recounts how he and two friends entered the tech scene, establishing Digital Gurus just before the 2008 financial crisis. Despite challenges, the company thrived and expanded globally. Reflecting on industry changes, Saif emphasizes the significance of companies owning their brand and internal recru...

On today's episode, we are joined by Ibtissam Ouassif, Co-Founder and CPO of Cashew Payments. Ibtissam speaks about her initial career efforts in the financial services industry, focused on partnerships and outreach, which led to the fascination with buy now pay later (BNPL) in fintech.  She talks about the inspiration behind the launch of Cashew, a pioneering BNPL company in the UAE. Overcoming t...

On this episode, we are joined by Curtis Schmidt, President and Chief Growth Officer of RAPP, part of the Omnicom Precision Marketing Group.  Curtis explores the data perception shift from IT silos to cross-departmental value, especially in marketing. Emphasizing understanding clients on a business level, he advocates transparent conversations to add value and avoid unrealistic expectations.  We c...

Join us for our debut episode featuring Trefor Murphy, a prominent figure in the recruitment industry. Together, we dive into the challenges faced in recruiting and the growing demand for skilled professionals. Trefor stresses the vital role of recruiters with market expertise and cultural alignment. We emphasize the need for transparent communication between clients and recruiters, and the critic...