Name: Badr Mohammed Burshaid

Title: President

Organisation: Chapter of PMI KSA

Badr is the President of the Project Management Institute in Saudi Arabia with over 25 years of experience in the field. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from King Fahad University of Petroleum and Minerals. Badr has received multiple awards, including the Global PMO Leader of the year and the inaugural individual implementation award. He represents Saudi Arabia at the PMI executive council and has been recognized as one of the top ten most influential executive leaders in Saudi Arabia. Under his leadership, the PMI KSA chapter has achieved significant growth in membership, webinars, volunteers, and professional certificates.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

I hope Badr's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

As a leader, I have found that one of the most challenging aspects is getting everyone to fully believe in the vision and mission of the organization. While it may be easy to articulate a clear direction and set of goals, inspiring and mobilizing a diverse group of individuals to work towards a common purpose requires a great deal of skill and effort.

In my experience, achieving buy-in from all team members requires consistent communication, active listening, and a willingness to adapt and adjust the vision based on feedback and input from others. It is also important to lead by example and embody the values and principles of the organization, as this can help to build trust and credibility with others. Ultimately, I believe that success as a leader comes down to building strong relationships, fostering open communication, and creating a culture of collaboration and shared ownership.

While the challenge of getting everyone to fully believe in the vision and mission can be daunting, it is also an opportunity to build a more cohesive and effective team that is capable of achieving great things together.

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

I became a leader through my unwavering belief in the power of collaboration and teamwork. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work with individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds and personalities, each with their own unique perspectives and strengths.

One experience that stands out to me is when I was working on a complex project that involved multiple teams with competing priorities and agendas. It quickly became clear that in order to succeed, we would need to find a way to bridge our differences and work together towards a common goal.

I began by taking the time to listen to each team member and understand their individual needs and concerns. I then worked to build a sense of shared purpose and ownership, emphasizing that we were all in this together and that our success would depend on our ability to collaborate and leverage each other's strengths.

Over time, I saw the team become more cohesive and effective, as individuals began to see the value in working together towards a common goal. Through this experience, I learned that leadership is not about imposing one's will on others, but rather about building relationships and empowering others to achieve their full potential.

Today, I continue to approach leadership with a focus on collaboration and teamwork, working to build bridges between individuals and groups and leveraging our collective strengths to drive success.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

As a professional, I strive to structure my workday in a way that maximizes productivity and fosters a healthy work-life balance. Typically, I start my day by waking up early and engaging in some form of exercise or meditation to help clear my mind and set a positive tone for the day.

Once I arrive at work, I prioritize my tasks for the day and break them down into manageable chunks, setting specific goals and deadlines for each. Throughout the day, I make a conscious effort to manage my time effectively, avoiding distractions and staying focused on the task at hand. As the day progresses, I take regular breaks to stretch my legs, grab a healthy snack, or simply step away from my desk for a few minutes to recharge.

I also make a point to stay connected with colleagues and team members, collaborating and communicating as needed to ensure that projects stay on track and everyone is on the same page. As the end of the day approaches, I take time to reflect on what I have accomplished and identify any outstanding tasks or priorities for the next day.

I then wind down by disconnecting from work and engaging in some form of relaxation or leisure activity, whether that be spending time with family and friends, reading a book, or pursuing a hobby. Overall, I believe that structuring my workday in a way that balances productivity with self-care and personal fulfillment is key to achieving success both professionally and personally.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

Throughout my career, I have learned many valuable lessons about leadership that have helped me to become a more effective and successful leader. However, there are a few key lessons that stand out to me as being particularly important.

First and foremost, I have learned that leadership is not about being the smartest or most talented person in the room. Rather, it is about empowering others to achieve their full potential and fostering a culture of collaboration and shared ownership. Secondly, I have learned that effective communication is absolutely essential to successful leadership. This means not only being able to articulate a clear vision and set of goals, but also being able to actively listen to and incorporate feedback from others.

Another important lesson I have learned is the importance of leading by example. As a leader, it is not enough to simply tell others what to do - you must also be willing to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty when needed. Finally, I have learned that leadership is a lifelong journey, and that the best leaders are those who are constantly learning, growing, and adapting.

This means being open to new ideas and perspectives, seeking out feedback and constructive criticism, and continually striving to improve oneself and the organization as a whole. Overall, these lessons have helped me to become a more effective and successful leader, both in my professional and personal life. By focusing on empowering others, communicating effectively, leading by example, and committing to

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?

In my opinion, one of the most influential books I have ever read is "How to Stop Worrying and Start Living" by Dale Carnegie. This book has had a profound impact on my life and has taught me many valuable lessons about managing stress and anxiety.

One of the most powerful lessons from the book is the importance of living in the present moment. Carnegie emphasizes that worrying about the past or future can be a major source of stress and anxiety, and that learning to focus on the present can help to alleviate these feelings. Another key lesson from the book is the importance of taking action to address the things that are causing worry and anxiety.

Carnegie emphasizes that taking even small steps towards a solution can help to reduce feelings of helplessness and increase feelings of control and empowerment. The book also stresses the importance of maintaining a positive outlook, even in the face of adversity. Carnegie encourages readers to focus on the things that they are grateful for and to cultivate a sense of optimism and hope.

Finally, the book emphasizes the importance of taking care of oneself, both physically and mentally. This includes getting enough sleep, eating healthily, and engaging in activities that bring joy and fulfillment.

Overall, "How to Stop Worrying and Start Living" is a powerful and inspiring book that has taught me many valuable lessons about managing stress and anxiety. By focusing on the present, taking action, maintaining a positive outlook, and taking care of oneself, I believe that anyone can learn to live a more fulfilling and stress-free life.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

As a seasoned leader, one of the most important pieces of advice I can offer to young leaders is to embrace failure as an essential part of the learning and growth process. While failure can be difficult and even painful at times, it is also a valuable opportunity to learn, grow, and build success.

One of the first steps to overcoming the fear of failure is to reframe your mindset. Instead of viewing failure as a negative outcome, try to see it as a natural and necessary part of the learning process. Recognize that every successful person has experienced failure at some point, and that it is a stepping stone to eventual success.

Another important consideration is to focus on the lessons learned from failure, rather than dwelling on the negative aspects of the experience. Take time to reflect on what went wrong, what could have been done differently, and what can be learned from the experience. Use this information to adjust your approach and improve your chances of success in the future. It's also important to recognize that failure is not the end of the road.

If you experience a setback or failure, don't give up on your goals. Instead, use it as an opportunity to reassess your strategy and make necessary adjustments. Remember that success is rarely achieved in a straight line, and setbacks are a natural part of the journey. Finally, seek out support and guidance from mentors, peers, and colleagues. Surround yourself with people who are supportive and encourage you to take risks and learn from failure.

By building a strong network of support, you can gain valuable insights and perspectives, and feel more confident taking calculated risks. Overall, my advice to young leaders is to embrace failure as an essential part of the learning and growth process. By reframing your mindset, focusing on the lessons learned, staying committed to your goals, and seeking out support, you can build success from failure and achieve your full potential as a leader.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?

In 2020, our chapter embarked on a journey to create something new and exciting. We started from scratch, with nothing but a shared passion for project management and a desire to build something great.

We began by defining our mission and vision, and developing a strategy to achieve our goals. We knew that we would face challenges along the way, but we were never afraid of failure. Instead, we viewed every setback as an opportunity to learn and grow. One of the biggest challenges we faced was organizing the first-ever Global Project Management Forum.

This was a massive undertaking, and we knew that success was far from guaranteed. But we remained committed to our mission, and we were determined to make it a success. We worked tirelessly to plan and execute the event, reaching out to project management professionals from around the world and building a network of support. And when the big day finally arrived, we were blown away by the response.

The Forum was attended by more than 8,000 people from 102 different countries, making it a truly global event. Looking back on our journey, I am filled with pride and gratitude for all that we accomplished together. We took a bold step into the unknown, and we were rewarded with success beyond our wildest dreams. This experience has taught me that anything is possible when you have a clear vision, a strong team, and a willingness to explore new frontiers.