Versatility – The Hallmark Of Great Leadership

Hon. Lujaina Mohsin Haider Darwish, Chairperson of Infrastructure, Technology, Industrial and Consumer Solutions at Mohsin Haider Darwish (MHD), is growing a business, contributing to Oman’s economy, and nurturing a new generation of female talent.

As MHD’s chairperson for Infrastructure, Technology, Industrial and Consumer Solutions (ITICS), how did you lead the cluster during the pandemic?

As the pandemic unfolded, it became clear to me that urgent action was needed in three areas. The first was to reduce the risk to our employees and their families, the second was to ensure business continuity, and the third was to help support the community in mitigating the effects of the pandemic.

To protect our people, we implemented essential safety precautions mandated by the health authorities in Oman, as well as those recommended by international agencies. As for business continuity, we stepped up our efforts to service our customers. We worked out innovative distribution methods during the lockdown, ensured uninterrupted availability of working capital, and built trust with our suppliers and contractors by not reneging on any of our payment commitments. All this created immense goodwill and I am proud to say that we were one of the very few business entities that closed 2020 almost 100% on budget.

With regards to supporting the community, we reaffirmed our CSR commitments and did not halt any activity due to the crisis. Also, in spite of the pandemic, we retained all our employees and continued recruitment in accordance with our manpower planning budget.

MHD was recently split into two clusters. As chairperson of the ITICS cluster, how do you plan to contribute to the company’s growth moving forward?

The primary reason for bifurcating the company’s operations into two business clusters was to enable accelerated growth. Over the last few months, my team and I have been working on numerous plans for expansion – organic and through acquisitions – some of which have already come to fruition. Several of our business units have added new product categories and brands, entered into new areas of business,

and engaged with state-owned entities to work on projects through public-private-partnership models.

We have also entered into negotiations to acquire businesses in overseas territories that have synergies with our present operations. We are constantly searching for new opportunities, and several projects are discussed every month.

I believe these actions will contribute to the overall growth of the family business in the long run.

How have you contributed to the growth and safety of Omani society since the start of the pandemic?

Ensuring the safety of our employees and their families during the pandemic has also contributed to the safety of our suppliers, contractors, and society at large. In addition, our ongoing CSR activities, our training programs conducted by the MHD Training Institute, our recruitment of Omani nationals, and our involvement in critical projects, all contribute positively to the economy.

As one of the seven female members of Oman’s consultative council and a member of the state council, how do you represent Omani women on the political and economic scene?

This is something very close to my heart and a considerable part of my time is spent on promoting women’s causes and highlighting the achievements of women in Omani society. I work closely with people in both official and non-official circles to build an ecosystem that encourages women to be active in economic and political spheres.

What does it take to be amongst the region’s most powerful businesswomen?

I believe that the courage of your convictions is the primary requirement. The ability to chase your dreams with complete faith, despite constraints and setbacks, is the hallmark of a true business leader. Persistence and determination are also vital characteristics. By having a clearly defined plan and rigorously following their chosen paths, ignoring the contrarian voices around them, women business leaders can establish themselves among the powerful leaders in the region.

How do you keep inspiring women, both as a business leader and as a woman?

In my opinion, women like me who are in the public eye have a moral obligation to guide and inspire the younger generation of women, and help them realize their dreams. I try to set an example for other women in everything I do, whether it’s speaking at public events, working for women’s causes, carrying out charitable activities, or promoting the achievements of other women in various fields. I also make myself available to young entrepreneurs for personal consultation, and I encourage women to enter domains dominated by men, so that they can go on to be role models for others.

You have achieved so much over the years. Which of your recent personal achievements are you most proud of?

My late father, Mohsin Haider Darwish, always encouraged me to contribute to Oman and the larger community. It’s a great honor for me to be elected as a member of the Majlis A Shura and Majlis A’Dawla and to be bestowed with the wonderful opportunity to serve Oman.

I have also been elected to the board of the Oman Football Association (OFA), which gives me a chance to help develop the game at the grassroots. I am committed to working with the board of directors under the able guidance of Salim bin Said Al Wahaibi, the Chairman of OFA, to help Oman football scale new heights.

I am a strong believer in women’s empowerment too, which was fostered by the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, and which is now being taken forward by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq. Working on the development of women’s football and a women’s trekking group are two of the initiatives that will help fulfil my dream of furthering women’s empowerment and building an inclusive society. I have also been involved in building awareness around the achievements of young Omani women.

Besides the above, I am fortunate to have been involved with associations that aim to build friendly relations between Oman and other countries.

“I encourage women to enter domains dominated by men, so that they can go on to be role models for others.”