Thank you to the 1646 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 questions! I hope reading 7 Questions with
Dr. Gawad Alwabr
helps you in your leadership.
Cheers,
Jonno
Dr. Gawad Alwabr
Name: Dr. Gawad Alwabr
Title: CEO
Organisation: First Light for Consulting and Evaluation Services, Yemen
Dr. Gawad Alwabr holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences from Sana’a University, Yemen, a Master’s degree in Environmental Sciences from Pune University, India, and a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences from Alexandria University, Egypt.
He works as an assistant professor of public health and environmental safety in many Yemeni universities. He is a founder and chairman of the Ashraqat Organization for Scientific Research and Sustainable Development, and a founder and CEO of First Light for Consulting and Evaluation Services.
He has implemented many studies, scientific research and projects related to environmental issues and climate change for many international and local organizations. He also works as a consultant of Environmental, Social, and Governence (ESG) protection assessment. He has many scientific researches in the field of environment and public health published in international scientific journals.
1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?
Flexibility and the ability to deal with all personalities.
2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?
By constantly qualifying and developing my scientific and professional capabilities.
I developed my scientific and professional abilities, I tried with determination to complete my academic degrees and continue improving my career in same time.
3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?
I have a lot of complex and interrelated tasks and works that need good time management. So I try to schedule those tasks, set a time plan to get them done and complete them in a timely manner. So I put my plans on the daily level, I start my day by carrying out work tasks early. Start by carrying out work tasks from the morning until five in the afternoon, followed by reading and browsing new news in the field of work, then devoting some time to my family, and developing a work plan for the next day before going to sleep.
4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?
Dealing with the work team with love, cooperation and trust. Enabling the work team to carry out difficult and leadership tasks, encouraging them, appreciating them, and motivating them continuously. This helps them to exploit their latent energies in carrying out the work entrusted to them with high efficiency.
5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?
The 7 habits of highly effective people, by Stephen R. Covey.
6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?
Youth leaders should continue to exploit part of their energies in development of their scientific and professional capabilities. They also have to doing their work by patiently and dedicate.
7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?
Adapting to surrounding variables:
In recent years, armed conflicts in my country have led to a severe economic recession that has led to the loss of many workers in companies and institutions to their jobs. I quickly thought of many ways out of this bad situation. Therefore, I began to build my capabilities in new fields of work that would enable me to adapt to the new situation and continue working and achieving achievements. It took a while, but I've reached some of my goals and am still trying.
The moral of this story is, "We should always be optimistic and confident in our abilities, no matter how bad the circumstances are."