The rise of Dubai is a remarkable story, one which has created a brand synonymous with superlatives and dynamism and put it among the leading cities of the world. As a result of its connectivity, bold futuristic projects, its ease of doing business, its hub status and its robust trading networks, Dubai has emerged as the Hong Kong of South Asia, the Miami of Africa and the Singapore of the Middle East.

But this book is not about Dubai! This book is about the Sheikh who built it into a global hub, his leadership style and the way he operates. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, is – by any measure – one of the most known and admired leaders in our region. He has created an extraordinary legacy through his bold vision and ability to deliver, often against all odds.

This book distils the lessons to be learned from observing Sheikh Mohammed firsthand, featuring interviews capturing insights from ministers and members of his Executive Office team from the past two decades. It gives an insider’s view of the Sheikh CEO who runs Dubai, his personal leadership model and how he delivers. Whether or not you aspire to be a political or public leader, any leader or manager can improve his or her capabilities by studying Sheikh Mohammed’s lessons in leadership.

These lessons are especially poignant to emerging markets where the conditions and context are not always conducive to learning the leadership lessons that are distilled in management books with a Western context.