The Arabian Business Leadership Summit 2023 began on Wednesday, with some of the most influential business leaders in the region in attendance.
Speaking at the summit Farah Zafar, the co-founder and CEO of tech company Lyvely, recently shared her insights on leadership, vision, and the role of innovation in shaping the future. In an engaging conversation, Zafar highlighted her journey as a leader, the challenges she faced, and the importance of authenticity and empowerment in leadership.
Born into an immigrant family in the UK, Zafar credited her father as the main inspiration behind her work ethic. Raised with a strong emphasis on education, she was instilled with the belief that hard work would lead to success. This mindset motivated her to outwork her peers and seize opportunities, eventually leading her to Dubai 23 years ago.
“My father always used to say, be the hardest working person in the room because then you will not fail,” Zafar said.
Reflecting on her time in Dubai, Zafar acknowledged the influential leadership of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid. She regarded him as a visionary leader, saying, “Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid is the most visionary leader of our time and our world.”
She emphasised on the significance of having a vision bigger than oneself. Zafar stressed the importance of conviction in one’s vision and the need for execution with humility.
“Vision is nothing without execution,” Zafar said.
“I think we’re in this very competitive society and we’re all competing with each other but it’s about finding that inner peace and that integrity in who you are,” she added.
Farah Zafar’s enlightened leadership perspective
As the conversation shifted towards women in leadership positions, Zafar shared her perspective on power and influence. Coming from a humble background, she initially struggled to embrace power but found solace in the concept of authentic power. She expressed that true power lies in being able to influence and enable others.
“I don’t think I’ve ever felt powerful or in power. When you come from such a humble background you have a lot of anxiety and impostor syndrome,” she explained, reflecting on her time in leadership positions.
The co-founder and CEO stressed the transformative potential of innovation, particularly in the tech industry, and its ability to empower individuals to become leaders.
“Social media and the implementation of Web 2 has created more followers than leaders,” she said explaining that “Society was designed to not make leaders, it was designed to make followers.”
Aside from all the leadership skills and tips, Zafar ventured into a topic she deeply believes in and stressed the need to surrender and align one’s vision with the energy of the universe and allowing life to lead them.
About Lyvely
Lyvely is a tech company founded by Farah Zafar and her co-founder, dedicated to empowering content creators and influencers to monetise their passions.
Through an integrated platform, Lyvely aims to democratize leadership and provide individuals with the tools to build their brands, engage with their communities, and achieve financial independence.
“If you have a mobile phone, a vision and a message, you could be a leader,” she said.
Their mission is to empower 100 million people to find freedom and abundance through their digital platform.
“Gratitude is the pinnacle of achieving what you want,” she concluded.
The Arabian Business Leadership Summit is currently underway in Dubai in the presence of UAE Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Strategic Affairs Huda AlHashmi, former UK Prime Minister David Cameron, Diriyah Company chief executive officer Jerry Inzerillo, former Etihad boss and Knighthood Global chief executive officer James Hogan, Etoile Group president Ingie Chalhoub, GMG deputy chairman and chief executive officer Mohammad A Baker, ROSHN group chief executive officer David Grover, Amazon MENA vice president Ronaldo Mouchawar – to name a few.
The summit serves as a platform for leaders to exchange ideas, discuss obstacles, and explore possibilities for shaping the future of business in the Arab region.
The summit will also offer attendees the chance to participate in engaging discussions and network with influential regional leaders.
Follow us on
