Leading Change in Challenging Times: Lessons of Disruption and Innovation from Egypt: Thoughts, Observations, and Reflections

This is a hybrid book—part memoir, part institutional history, and part inspirational business leadership advice. It is a good evocative mix covering personal thoughts, reflections, beliefs, and observations on Egypt, history, youth, the economy, leadership, politics, culture, education, innovation, management, business, ethics, entrepreneurship, governance, the society, the future, and many other aspects that shape our lives in the long-term from a strategic perspective but also in the short-term through day-to-day interactions.

The book compiles a collection of perceptions and insights on various issues, with an emphasis on deaning a business school in an emerging economy at a time of continuous social, political, and economic transformations. The book primarily focuses on the developments that occurred at the School of Business of The American University in Cairo during the period September 2009 to June 2014 and the implications of the historical and societal events that took place during the decades prior to that period in Egypt.

The book includes a variety of perspectives on deaning and leading change while addressing a diverse portfolio of aspects including autonomy; strategy formulation, planning and execution; the invaluable role of human capital; development funds and their impact on creating a culture of innovation, creativity and discovery; institutional development as an organizational edge; the continuing engagement of the alumni network; the journey of continuous improvement, research endeavors, the influence of an environment enriched by international faculty and students and the complementing role of executive education and the creation of a mindset driven by lifelong learning.

The book reflects the sentiments of a passionate Egyptian who grew inspired by its history and attached to its cultural heritage and its exceptional and resilient people––the descendants of one, if not the greatest, civilization in the history of mankind. The book’s underlying theme stems from the fact that I strongly and profoundly believe in Egypt, its people, history, civilization, cultural heritage, resources, the exceptional fabric of its society, its future, and its unlimited potentials and prospects. For me, Egypt remains uniquely positioned as the land of unparalleled opportunity, yet so much of that remains untapped. I dream and aspire that Egypt becomes an intellectual, cultural, economic, and geopolitical powerhouse to reckon with in a dynamic and changing world.