UAE Women Leaders Highlight Importance Of Tech And Soft Skills For Career Advancement

At the Global Women’s Forum Dubai, held at Madinat Jumeirah, influential female leaders explored how blending technical skills with essential soft skills can propel women into leadership roles. The session, titled "Break the Mould: Building Career Pathways from the Factory to the Boardroom," was moderated by Brandy Scott of ARN. It highlighted mentorship, ongoing learning, and organisational support as key factors in overcoming barriers to women's advancement.

Najeeba Al Jabri, Vice-President of EHS at Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), and Fatma Al Shaygi, Chair of the TAQA Women’s Council and VP of Asset Management, shared insights from their leadership experiences. They stressed that emotional intelligence, effective communication, and leadership skills are crucial for success at high levels.

Fatma Al Shaygi transitioned from banking to renewable energy and now serves on 14 boards. She emphasised mentorship's role in her career development. "Joining Masdar as the only woman in a department of 150 men was challenging, but mentorship helped me develop an inclusive and impactful leadership style," she stated. Fatma also urged companies to offer executive training programmes like MBA courses to aid women in navigating leadership roles.

Najeeba Al Jabri moved from R&D to board positions in two companies. She echoed the importance of continuous learning. "Technical expertise alone isn’t enough," she noted. "I pursued additional certifications and focused on strategic leadership to enhance my presence in the boardroom."

The session highlighted UAE companies' increasing investment in programmes aimed at empowering women. Fatma's experience attending London Business School, sponsored by her company, exemplifies how professional development can shape a leader's path.

Aurora50, a UAE-based social enterprise, contributes significantly to this transformation by offering programmes that equip women with necessary skills, knowledge, and networks for leadership roles. Both leaders advocated for more such resources to be available to women in workplaces, enabling them to ascend through ranks into leadership positions.

The forum underscored that combining technical expertise with soft skills is vital for women's career progression into leadership roles. Mentorship and continuous learning are crucial components in this journey. The growing investment by UAE companies in women's empowerment initiatives further supports this transformation.

With inputs from WAM