Abu dhabi: H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, has announced the launch of the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Empowerment Medal to honor Dubai officials who excel in empowering second-tier leaders across various sectors.
According to Emirates News Agency, the medal will be awarded annually to a Dubai Government leader who actively fosters new generations of leaders by building trust within institutions, motivating teams to realize their potential, and inspiring high levels of performance and innovation. The initiative aims to instill empowerment as a central institutional culture, promoting a sustainable leadership framework rooted in decentralization, delegated authority, and broader responsibilities, further supporting second-tier leaders.
The launch underscores the approach of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who emphasizes investing in and empowering people as the ultimate goal of all development initiatives. His Highness’s philosophy highlights that true leadership is defined by the responsibility of nurturing new generations of capable leaders rather than position or title.
The announcement was made during the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum at the Dubai World Trade Centre, organized by the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development. The forum, Dubai’s premier annual event dedicated to leadership and management excellence, gathered 1,000 prominent figures from government and private sectors to discuss administrative and leadership transformation, embed best practices, and advance the vision of making Dubai the best city in the world.
In his remarks, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said, “The greatest joy for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is to see an official supporting and empowering leaders and celebrating their efforts. This medal honors the officials who have contributed most to empowering new leaders and honing their skills.”
Sheikh Hamdan emphasized the importance of every official in Dubai playing a role in preparing a new generation of leaders, individuals with innovative thinking, decision-making confidence, and readiness to face global changes. He noted that this medal marks a strategic milestone in Dubai’s leadership journey, reinforcing a framework for preparing and qualifying leaders.
Nominees are selected based on their adherence to the leadership empowerment approach established by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Evaluation criteria include empowering, motivating, training, and highlighting the role of young leaders across government entities.
The medal aims to create a comprehensive framework for leadership empowerment by setting clear plans and standards, advancing leadership development across government, and positioning Dubai as a global model for cultivating leaders.
It also seeks to empower leaders by granting full authority, involving them in decision-making, and assigning strategic tasks that build their future readiness. Furthermore, it highlights pioneering institutional practices by showcasing success stories of organizations that have achieved progress in leadership empowerment.
Ultimately, the medal promotes a sustainable culture of leadership-building, embedding empowerment in the institutional identity, embraced across the organization as part of its ethos and system.
