30 Effective Leadership lessons learnt from Ali Radhi

His leadership model was: Humanity

“Ali Radhi”, a name shined in the skies of Bahrain in the late nineties until his death in 2012, was a Bahraini official, held several positions in the state. Started his career in the Ministry of Commerce as a fresh graduate accountant.

He was renowned for his high capabilities and potentials in successfully implementing several outstanding government projects, he got promoted in positions until he left the Ministry to be appointed as the first Chief Executive Officer of the newly Government Body the Labor Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) in 2006 till 2011.

He passed away in 2012 following a massive heart attack.

I knew him personally in 2003, while working as a journalist covering the IT news. I worked with him on many projects intermittently until 2006, when he was appointed to lead the LMRA, the pioneer project at the time. He asked me to join him to supervise the establishment of the e-Services and the LMRA website and its content that will be the face of LMRA to the world. Later I was appointed as the head of the Corporate Communications Department.

It was when I began studying the Art and Science of leadership that I realized that he was a natural born leader who united people and built them, loved by all who worked with him.

In my short journey with Ali I witnessed huge achievements, many failures, many challenges and difficulties, changes and successes, and the most important factor I learnt was never to be affected by failures and successes, because as he treated all that as trivial, and focused only on continuing working to achieve the goals.

Here are 30 highlights/ lessons of his leadership qualities that have distinguished him from others, which may serve as a guiding light for future generations of leaders. I suggest that they be taught in leadership workshops;

1. He never underestimated people around him, rather made them part of the bigger picture in-order to understand where the decisions come from and the rational behind them,
2. He used his authority and power mindfully and wisely without arrogance, nor arbitrariness, nor fearing of losing it,
3. He was reachable, available and modest with everyone and his office was open to every employee or customer,
4. Was always keen to create a motivational environment for others by encouraging, praising and standing with them in their difficulties if required,
5. He was obsessed with improving performance and productivity on daily basis, for which some named him the “the bulldozer” due to the magnitude of concepts and ideas and his desire to produce and give only the best results, and this was the reason he won the first prize in the Excellence competition of The Bahrain government in its first version,
6. He never knew what “Impossible” is, there was always other ways to achieve goals as he believed in “If there is a well there is a way”,
7. He reviewed wins and losses with equal passion and discipline,
8. He believed fully in technology and it is the solution to increase productivity and to eliminate corruption and favoritism and temperament,
9. He was a pioneer in converting governmental customer services into a unique 5 star service giving the customers and clients a VIP environment like the facilities of luxury hotels and cafes,
10. When he sees a potential of smartness and efficiency in an individual regardless his/her position, he would hone it and refine it. Many Bahraini messenger boys he supported in their development until some of them headed sections later,
11. He had the ability to transform difficulties and challenges into opportunities,
12. Addicted to work even in his travels, rest time and vacation,
13. He loved to mingle and meet everyone,
14. He made it a point in his day to devote time to visit the staff members in the organization, he knew each one individually identified them by their names and specialties and projects on which they work and their tasks,
15. He would present his ideas and plans to everyone and listen to opinions and ideas and criticism,
16. Regular meetings of staff are held to keep them informed of developments,
17. He never hesitated to pay from his own pocket to keep things running smoothly and to keep the momentum going,
18. He defended his staff fiercely in front of others and bears their fault,
19. One of his memorable saying was “Try out many things or ways and keep what works to achieve the goal”,
20. Had pleasure sitting with foreign workers and junior staff and laughing with them and explain to them and help them,
21. He responded to all incoming calls that came to his office and his mobile phone even if the person was unknown to him,
22. As a leader, he was keen to coach, teach and train his colleagues by himself when needed,
23. Was the first to be in the office early morning and was the last one to leave,
24. In meetings and seminars, he was modest and sat silent until his turn came, he would be precise and to the point not drowning attendees in unnecessary details and waste time,
25. He could create innovative solutions to the most difficult tasks and dilemmas,
26. Many times, he would give the credit of achievements to others, and he would say “It is more important to make an achievement than to claim credits”,
27. He had a strong analytical mind made him highly assessing risks and detecting potential imbalances – if any – and present possible solutions beforehand,
28. He had the quality of listening to everyone and encouraging others to talk,
29. He would never accept blind consent to his ideas and proposals, but rather would accept any idea worthy of implementation,
30. Was always keen to hold social events for employees and to attend them personally.