Lessons in life and leadership for today’s business challenges
Eng. Mohammed E. Al Muaili is a Chief Executive Officer with over 25 years of experience across logistics, operations, and international business. His work has focused on building organisations, growing businesses, and navigating complex environments across different markets. In addition to his role at Kuwait Resources House (KRH), Mohammed serves as Vice Chairman of Real Estate House Company (REH) and is the founder of Business Gate Holding, a private equity platform focused on investments across the GCC and North Africa.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from California State University and completed executive education at London Business School. He earned his MBA from The University of Manchester in 2021 as part of the “COVID cohort” and was honoured with the Alumni Ambassador Award in 2025.
A Personal Rule I Live By
I’ve always had a simple rule for myself: every ten years, I take on a new educational challenge—something that pushes me out of my comfort zone.
It’s not about titles or achievements. It’s about growth. About staying curious and not becoming too comfortable with what you already know.
Why I Went Back to Study
Earlier in my career, I thought about doing an MBA, but at that stage I had just stepped into a CEO role. The focus was on execution, building teams, and delivering results. Time was not on my side. Instead, I joined the Senior Executive Program at London Business School. It was intense—long days, a lot of pressure—but it stayed with me.
Years later, I started to feel that it was time again.
The world had changed. Technology was moving faster than ever. Artificial intelligence was no longer something in the future—it was already shaping how we work and make decisions.
That’s when I realised something important:
experience is valuable, but it needs to be refreshed.
That’s what brought me back to the MBA.
I chose The University of Manchester because it felt balanced—global, diverse, and still very relevant to our region.
Learning in the Middle of Uncertainty
Doing the MBA during COVID was not easy—but in a way, it made the experience more real. The University adapted quickly, and the transition to online learning was smooth. But more importantly, we were all going through uncertainty at the same time. It wasn’t just theory anymore. We were studying leadership while living through one of the most challenging periods in recent history.
That gave everything more meaning.
Leaving the Title Behind
One of the best decisions I made was to leave my CEO title outside the classroom.
Inside, I was just another student.
It sounds simple, but it made a big difference. It allowed me to listen more, ask questions, and really learn from others.
You realise very quickly that no matter how much experience you have, there is always something new to learn—especially from people who see the world differently.
Some of the most valuable lessons didn’t come from textbooks, but from conversations with classmates.
What Experience Teaches You (and What It Doesn’t)
My background is in engineering, so naturally I like structure—breaking problems down, analysing them, and finding solutions.
But leadership doesn’t always work that way.
In real life, you rarely have all the information. You don’t always have time. And you definitely don’t have perfect conditions.
Earlier in my career, I aimed for perfection. Over time, I realised that waiting for everything to be perfect can slow you down.
Now, I focus more on making the right decision at the right time—even if it’s not perfect.
Technology Is Changing Everything—But Not Everything Changes
Artificial intelligence is already transforming how we work, especially in the service sector.
It helps us move faster, make better decisions, and improve efficiency.
But there’s one thing it doesn’t replace—people.
Relationships, trust, understanding… these things still matter. In fact, they matter even more now. I don’t see AI replacing jobs completely. I see it changing them. People will need to adapt, learn new skills, and think differently.
And as leaders, we have a responsibility to help our teams through that transition.
Leadership Is Not One Thing
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that leadership is not fixed.
Some days you need to be hands-on, close to the details. Other days you need to step back and look at the bigger picture.
I often think of it like diving—you go deep, but you must come back up to see where you are.
Another thing that became very clear during COVID is the importance of empathy.
People don’t just need direction—they need support. They need to feel understood.
Balancing that with performance is not always easy, but it’s necessary.
Our Advantage in the Region
In the Middle East, we have something special.
We are moving forward quickly adopting technology, building new industries, thinking big.
At the same time, we are still very grounded in relationships and community.
That combination creates strength. It allows us to move fast but stay connected.
More Than Just a Degree
Looking back, the MBA was not just about education.
It was about perspective.
We were learning, but we were also going through something together as a group. That creates a different kind of connection.
I’ve stayed in touch with the University and the alumni network, and receiving the Ambassador Award in 2025 meant a lot to me—especially as someone representing Kuwait.
What’s Next
I still believe in that ten-year rule.
I don’t know yet what the next challenge will be—but I know there will be one.
I’m also thinking more about giving back. After years of experience, you start to feel a responsibility to share what you’ve learned.
A Personal Thank You
None of this happens alone. My family—especially my wife and my children—have been at the heart of this journey. Balancing work, study, and life is never easy, and their support made all the difference.
I’m also grateful to my friend Abdullah, who stood by me throughout this experience. Having someone who shares the journey with you makes it lighter and more meaningful.
Final Thought
For me, learning never really stops.
It’s not about a degree or a milestone—it’s about staying open, staying curious, and always being willing to grow.
Because in the end, leadership is not just about where you reach…
it’s about how you continue to evolve.
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