Who You Gonna Call?

MELA 5, DAY EIGHT: 13 MARCH 2014

صباح الخير و أهلاً و سهلاً to our new facilitator, Dan Ciprari Al-Qatari! Siham shows her appreciation for Dan's inter-cultural dexterity... and thoub-wearing skills.

The class elects two representatives to serve on the MELA Board of Directors.

Counting the ballots in the presence of unimpeachable observers.

Congratulations to Khalid Al-Mana (Qatar) on his election.

Majd Al Khatib (Saudi Arabia) is the other new Board member.

Leaders need to be persuasive communicators and expert presenters. If you want to learn how to make an eye-popping, heart-stopping, brain-dazzling presentation, who you gonna call? – Victor Antonio!

Eye-popping...

Heart-stopping...

Brain-dazzling!

And now for something completely different. Victor sets us a simple task to lubricate our imaginations: how many uses can we think of for the humble paper-clip?

Paper-clip jewelry, anyone? Introducing the hot new fashion line from Samer de la Naccouzi. (Meanwhile Rawan, on behalf of all womankind, is thinking: "There's no way on earth I'm ever going to wear that.")

Most accounts of the Arab Spring overlook the role that paper-clips played in bringing down the old regime in Egypt. Nahla elucidates.

Come on, Farhat! Don't they have paper-clips in Oman?

Did someone say, to clip paper together? That's a silly idea.

It is a special privilege to have Hassan Al-Thawadi (General Secretary, Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy) as today's guest speaker. He heads the organization responsible for coordinating government agencies to ensure that infrastructure and development projects are delivered on time for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Bringing the football championship to Qatar is an exciting opportunity to galvanize the whole society. But Hassan also emphasizes that the 2022 World Cup is for all of the region, not only for Qatar.

Bill Starnes' session on holding others accountable introduces the "Six Sources of Influence" model as a way to navigate interpersonal conflicts. When conflicts arise, there are tools that can be deployed which can help solve the problem and simultaneously enhance the relationship.

This evening's small group discussions:

Raheen Sacranie (Director, Consultant & Coach, Advisare Consultancy) – 

"How Much Financial Knowledge Should a Leader Possess?"

Wissam Darwiche (Executive Director, Principal Investments, Waha Capital) – 

"Securing Financing for Your Business in the Region: Best Options."

Salim Aufi (Undersecretary, Ministry of Oil and Gas, Oman) – 

"Getting Your Organization to Move Where You Want It."

Muna Alfuzai (Senior Executive Advisor, Kuwait Investment Council) – 

"Achieving Success: 10 Lessons Every Entrepreneur Must Learn."