Lessons on leadership

Rola Abu Manneh, Chief Executive Officer, UAE, shares how nurturing global ties can reset globalisation and boost the bank’s role as an enabler.

August 22, 2023

7 mins

Corporate & investment bankingDiversity & inclusion

This interview with Rola Abu Manneh, Chief Executive Officer, UAE, Middle East and Pakistan was originally published on Entrepreneur in 2023 (the article contents has been revised to fit SC.com editorial guidelines).

What has been the best example you’ve seen of real leadership in action?

Throughout my career, particularly in my current role as the CEO of Standard Chartered in the UAE, I was fortunate to witness inspiring examples of genuine leadership. One instance that has truly left a lasting impact on me was when our global leadership team took a stand to support a new model of globalisation based on transparency, inclusion, and dialogue.

Our leaders displayed exceptional vision and strategic thinking in this regard. They recognised the immense opportunities in assisting companies access new markets and leverage international trade corridors. Standard Chartered played a pivotal role in providing financial solutions, market insights, and expert guidance to businesses seeking to expand their presence globally. Through this stand, we successfully managed to connect continents across the globe while enhancing trade corridors.

One aspect that truly exemplified their exceptional leadership was how they fostered collaboration and knowledge-sharing across the Bank’s global network. CEOs from different regions regularly meet to explore means to grow trade corridors, strengthen partnerships, and identify potential areas for growth. These interactions allowed us to tap into the collective expertise and experience of our leadership across the globe, enhancing our ability to offer tailored solutions to our clients in different markets.

By actively focusing on empowering companies to take advantage of international trade opportunities, our leadership demonstrated a commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity. They understood the potential impact of nurturing global trade relationships, not only on our clients but also on the economies of various countries.

This approach perfectly aligned with Standard Chartered’s core values and purpose of being “Here for Good”, which further facilitated cross-border trade, promoted financial inclusion, and supported international business ventures. Our leadership’s emphasis on nurturing these global relationships strengthened the Bank’s position as a leading enabler focused on resetting globalisation.

For us in the UAE, this vision was perfectly aligned to the broader goals of our country’s leadership. The country’s leadership encourage economic diversification, global engagement, and market expansion which fit perfectly with our efforts to support local companies access new markets internationally, especially in light of the ample CEPA agreements signed between the UAE and various countries across the world. By actively supporting these initiatives, our Bank’s leadership demonstrated a deep commitment to contributing to the UAE’s economic growth and development.

It’s worth noting that supporting companies grow and expand into new markets through leveraging Standard Chartered’s global network and expertise across key trade corridors, has not only inspired our employees but also positively impacted our clients. As the CEO of the Bank in the UAE, I am dedicated to upholding these principles, driving our Bank’s continued success, and contributing to the advancement of the UAE’s business community.

What is the biggest lesson on leadership you’ve personally learnt in the years you’ve been a part of the business realm?

Throughout my years in the business realm, the most significant lesson I’ve learnt on leadership is the importance of emotional intelligence and open communications. This has led me to effectively oversee a massive workforce of an international bank in the UAE, a responsibility I am more than happy to have undertaken.

Leading a diverse workforce with different backgrounds and cultures requires the ability to understand and connect with employees on a personal level. By demonstrating empathy, I can relate to their perspectives, concerns, and aspirations. This allows for a work environment that fosters collaboration, trust, and a shared sense of purpose.

Furthermore, emotional intelligence plays a pivotal role in effective leadership. It enables me to manage my own emotions and reactions while understanding and empathising with the emotions of others. This skill helps me navigate challenging situations, resolve conflicts, and build strong relationships with clients, stakeholders, and colleagues.

By leading with empathy and emotional intelligence, I have witnessed the transformative impact it has on morale, engagement, and productivity. It helps creates a culture where individuals feel valued, heard, and supported, which leads to higher levels of innovation, teamwork, and overall organisational success while further pushing our diversity and inclusion agenda.

I strongly believe that successful leadership requires more than just technical expertise. It necessitates an understanding of the human element and the ability to inspire and empower individuals to reach their full potential. My key objective from prioritising empathy and emotional intelligence is to create an inclusive and supportive environment that drives the growth and prosperity of our Bank.