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PuSHINg BOuNDArIES
Akbar Al-Baker CEO, Qatar Airways For Al-Baker, a leader is someone who sets the trail for others to follow. Here are his thoughts on leadership. How do you think your leadership skills helped motivate those around you? When I joined Qatar Airways (QA) in 1996 my mission was to bring the airline to international standards to reflect the vision and growth of my country. Today QA is recognised as the third-best airline in the world, and one of the fastest growing carriers in the aviation industry. That QA has reached this status is through hard work and determination of committed and extremely driven employees. As the CEO of QA and its subsidiaries I am responsible for over 15,000 staff, who share the same goals that I have set for the company. My hands-on leadership style directs staff towards the airline’s strategic objectives, while at the same time boosts employee morale and performance. The result, speaks for itself.
Everyone needs a mentor to pave the way to success. Did you have one such mentor and how did he/she help you? I pursued my studies in economics and commerce in a college environment away from family and friends. That gave me the strength to be the person I am today. My career started as a civil servant, and I had worked at various levels in the Civil Aviation Authority in Qatar before taking over the national carrier. Along the way I was fortunate to meet very influential leaders and personalities, and have in parallel started various successful business enterprises. This mix of experience gives me the right blend of skills to manage an airline of the calibre of QA.
Qatar Airways has witnessed an amazing turnaround in the last decade. What are the key lessons learnt through the process? When the airline was re-launched in 1997, it was the vision
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Advice to the younger generation
“You need a vision. And it needs to be ambitious.” of His Highness, The Emir of the State of Qatar, to create an airline of choice; a global hub premium airline of which the people of Qatar would be proud. It’s been just over 13 years since the airline’s re-launch and QA has gone a long way towards achieving the mandate set out by HH The Emir. Today, QA is recognised as one of the fastest-growing airlines offering a world-renowned product and state-of-the-art facilities. Consistency in quality is the secret to our success and a key lesson learned through history. Companies known for the quality of their products and services are the ones best placed to sustain a competitive advantage. And the ones which believe in quality and continuous improvement are the ones that will succeed in navigating themselves through the ever-changing economic conditions.
Qatar Today November 10
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11/2/10 10:12:17 AM