Maali Khader, the Chief Executive Officer at the Middle East Institute of Directors, is not only a highly experienced and effective lawyer but also a leading regional expert in ESG (Environment, Social, and Governance) activities. Driven by a deep-seated passion for justice and fairness, Maali has identified and addressed a crucial gap in the realm of governance.
In her extensive legal career, Maali noticed a lack of awareness and accessibility concerning the potential power of governance. Motivated by this realization, she took the bold step of establishing MEIoD, not just as an institute but as a platform dedicated to making corporate governance education accessible to everyone. Her goal was to underscore the significance of culture in governance, prioritizing principles such as accountability, transparency, fairness, and responsibility.
Under Maali’s leadership, MEIoD has translated this vision into reality through comprehensive Capacity Building Programs designed to enhance governance skills within the region. The institute also provides Advisory Services, assisting organizations in their transformative journeys, and offers coaching to empower leaders to navigate their roles with confidence.
The journey with MEIoD has been both inspiring and rewarding for Maali. She is fully committed to continuing the mission and pushing the boundaries of governance further. Her vision extends beyond traditional governance, emphasizing the integration of environmental, social, and governance principles as the core pillars necessary for every leader shaping a more sustainable corporate environment in the Middle East.
Purpose-Driven Leadership
Maali’s role at the Middle East Institute of Directors (MEIoD) focuses on supporting board members and C-suite executives in their roles, with a primary goal of facilitating learning and growth to equip individuals with the tools and knowledge to be effective leaders within their organizations.
A crucial aspect of her work involves personally coaching executives to find that purpose driven practice. She strongly believes that personal and corporate values should work together to create a purpose-driven business environment. Maali assists executives in connecting their beliefs and values with the goals of the organization, fostering not only fulfillment but also commitment, loyalty, and overall success.
This alignment has tangible benefits, supported by data indicating a connection between personal values and job satisfaction. When individuals find alignment, they experience a sense of purpose, leading to increased engagement, productivity, and job satisfaction. This alignment becomes a driving force, motivating individuals to remain committed and loyal to their organization.
Ideally, the coaching takes them through that journey and the connection between personal and corporate values also influences decision-making processes and shapes the identity of the company, encouraging employee engagement. Companies that successfully promote this alignment tend to experience increased productivity and profitability.
Recognizing Stakeholder Diversity
Maali emphasizes the importance of tailoring corporate governance practices to the specific needs and motivations of stakeholders. At the Middle East Institute of Directors (MEIoD), the approach recognizes that a one-size-fits-all mindset is inadequate for effective governance. While universal principles such as accountability, transparency, fairness, and responsibility remain crucial, the nuances in stakeholders’ interests are acknowledged.
Investors, for instance, prioritize transparency and accountability, seeking assurance that their investments are secure and that companies operate ethically. MEIoD aims to assist in cultivating these attributes within firms, facilitating informed decision-making for investors.
Family businesses, on the other hand, often focus on preserving family values and ensuring long-term sustainability. MEIoD’s role involves helping them understand how corporate governance can safeguard these values and contribute to success across generations.
MEIoD’s culture revolves around embracing governance diversity, acknowledging stakeholders’ requirements, and delivering customized solutions. The institute goes beyond sharing knowledge by building partnerships and providing tailored advisory services to meet specific governance needs. The goal is to guide clients toward achieving desired outcomes, whether enhancing transparency, improving decision-making processes, or upholding core values.
MEIoD recognizes that the journey to governance is gradual and demands patience, commitment, and proper guidance. The institute is committed to supporting clients every step of the way, equipping them with tools, insights, and support to navigate governance complexities.
Structured governance, according to MEIoD, extends beyond business success and can significantly contribute to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) objectives. Strong governance practices empower organizations to manage social risks and contribute to ethical business landscapes. MEIoD is dedicated to shaping a future that supports companies in achieving sustainable growth.
Shaping Global Practices
Maali envisions the future of the company rooted in the Middle East. The aim is not to expand services globally in the traditional sense but to bring a unique perspective to the world stage. The focus is on contributing to international best practices by infusing them with the richness of the region’s culture and deeply-held social principles.
Staying centered on the Middle East allows the company to leverage its deep understanding of the region’s unique dynamics and complexities. This enables the offering of unparalleled expertise and insights to clients, influencing and shaping global practices. The ultimate goal is to become a bridge between the Middle East and the rest of the world, showcasing the best of the region while learning from global perspectives.
Leadership in Harmony
Maali emphasizes that as a woman in a leadership role, her top priority is growth and development. Leading with compassion, she sets an example for her team, understanding that her strength and success as a leader are directly linked to the growth, dedication, and hard work of her team members. In her perspective, leadership should encompass both strength and empathy, where assertiveness does not overshadow the value of listening and learning.
Maali believes that today’s leadership landscape often lacks an empathetic approach and emphasizes the importance of leaders being open to learning and adaptation. She sees leadership as a process of continuous learning and adjustment. Excelling in this role requires leaders to balance the needs of their teams with the overall objectives of the organization. Maali strongly believes that this holistic and compassionate style of leadership will shape the leaders of tomorrow.
Aligning Passion with Practicality
Maali advises individuals starting their careers to go beyond the common advice of “follow your passion.” While acknowledging the truth in that advice, she adds a nuanced perspective. In the early stages of a career, individuals may not have a clear understanding of their true passions or how to apply them effectively in a corporate setting, especially when there are financial obligations.
Her suggestion is to explore a range of opportunities, immerse oneself in various experiences, try out different sectors, and take on diverse roles. This approach allows for gaining a broad perspective, acquiring transferable skills, recognizing strengths and weaknesses, and discovering genuine areas of excitement. Exploring different opportunities also provides an understanding of the impact one can have.
After this exploration phase, individuals can connect these experiences to shape their career paths. The goal is to align with their interests and abilities, ensuring that the chosen path offers satisfaction and fulfillment by integrating various facets of their lives.
Vision for 2024
Maali is eagerly anticipating the challenges and opportunities that the new year brings. In 2024, she has set several goals that align with her professional journey and personal values.
Firstly, she is committed to advancing the development of learning tools tailored for busy directors. Recognizing the time constraints faced by directors in today’s fast-paced world, creating concise learning tools can empower them to continuously enhance their skills and knowledge without dedicating extensive time from their demanding schedules.
Secondly, Maali is excited about completing her book on boardroom dynamics. Drawing from her experiences and insights, the book aims to provide a perspective on how interactions and power dynamics unfold in boardrooms. The goal is to offer leaders a resource that helps them navigate and thrive in these high-pressure environments.
Additionally, Maali is thrilled to share that she will be teaching Corporate Governance to postgraduate students at Middlesex University as part of their Master of Laws (LLM) program. She sees education as a powerful vehicle for change and believes in sharing knowledge to inspire the next generation of leaders. Teaching corporate governance is not just about imparting textbook knowledge; it’s about shaping the minds that will guide corporations in the future.
Lastly, Maali is passionate about promoting ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) coaching. As awareness around sustainability issues continues to grow, she aims to provide executives and board members with the knowledge and skills to seamlessly integrate ESG considerations into their overall strategies.
These goals align with her vision for 2024, and she is enthusiastic about the advancements that can be achieved in these domains. Maali strongly believes that by prioritizing these objectives, positive changes can be brought about in how businesses function and how leaders navigate their roles.
