The field of Human Resource has seen enormous development in the last few years. At the helm of this growth are impactful leaders who take their teams to the next level. One such visionary duo is Masam Malik & Omar Hayat who has taken the industry by storm! Masam believes that Leadership is more about listening than telling. The only way to induce discretionary effort was through inspirational leadership and coaching. These experiences have set him on the path to develop his brand of servant leadership, seeking to install workplace cultures that help employees become the best versions of themselves.
Subsequently, Omar is passionate about guiding and mentoring others to help them become the best version of themselves, and has used his skills and knowledge to impact the lives of those around positively. He has been inspired by the act of helping others achieve their full potential.
Humble and Hardworking Backgrounds
Masam’s background is in Finance, working for several years in the Corporate Finance and Investment Management domains as a C.F.A. in Canada. When he was tasked to manage a team of high-performing wealth Advisors as a Director at Scotiabank, he realized that helping create superstars was significantly more complex than being one. This was Masam’s introduction to the world of Human Capital Development some 18 years ago. He continues, “Operating across different markets and cultures requires a high level of adaptability and agility. The business world has become dramatically interconnected and requires internal and external responsiveness. What I have learnt over the past 20-odd years of my career is that emotional resilience and persistence go a long way in ensuring you not only survive but also thrive given the right opportunities.”
Omar has been fortunate enough to have had mentors who have played a significant role in shaping his career. He has gained valuable insights into the importance of business growth and leadership. He shares, “Through my experiences, I have understood that among the typical levers in a business – people, processes, and products – the most crucial lever to pull is the people/human capital lever. This is because a company’s success ultimately depends on the people who work within it and their ability to work together effectively towards a shared goal. Businesses can unlock their full potential and achieve long-term success by building a solid, motivated team.”
Core Values Transitioning into Company Values
Having a mindset of abundance versus scarcity means one approaches life looking for opportunities rather than dwelling on difficulties. Omar has personally viewed failure not as an ending but a beginning. As an optimist with a mindset of abundance, he firmly believes in the saying, “The pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, while the optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.” This outlook allows him to approach challenges with a positive attitude and look for ways to turn them into opportunities for growth. He explains, “In my opinion, it is impossible to offer something to others if you do not possess it yourself. Therefore, I firmly believe that personal growth is the key to organizational growth.” At his company CLD MENA, Omar emphasizes investing in the development and growth of their employees. This would help their employees reach their full potential and enhance the organization’s overall growth and success.
Masam has a non-negotiable belief that most people he comes across are unaware of their peak capabilities. He shares,” I believe that we can achieve much more success in life if we are willing to become better versions of ourselves. My leadership brand is built around this enduring belief in people’s potential.” Masam encourages everyone within the team to learn at least one new skill each quarter. In the broader context of the industry, he views everyone as collaborators, seeking to learn as much as they teach.
Changing Dynamics in the HR Industry
The role of HR is evolving from being solely administrative to being more strategic. HR professionals play a crucial role in ensuring an organization’s values are established, aligned, and embedded throughout the workforce. This shift in HR’s function emphasizes the importance of creating a solid company culture and promoting values that drive business success. Omar continues, “In the ever-evolving landscape of HR, staying abreast of industry trends and advancements isn’t just an option—it’s a necessity. As an advocate for personal and organizational growth, I am committed to keeping CLD MENA ahead of the curve.”
Through engaging in ‘Train the Trainer’ sessions
themselves, participating in conferences discussing industry best practices, and meeting with thought leaders, the leaders ensure that CLD MENA remains innovative and adaptable. This proactive approach allows them to lead the way in integrating the latest advancements and methodologies, effectively serving their clients and setting new standards in the HR industry.
In Masam’s opinion, HR is the building block of any organization’s competitive advantage, irrespective of the industry. He views the company’s role as a global enabler of future success for its partners. He encourages organizations to look towards the future as they prepare for an evolving marketplace, developing skills for those opportunities. He emphasizes, “As a team, we understand the importance of staying ahead of the curve by keeping up with the latest HR developments. To achieve this, we actively engage in various networks of HR professionals and industry leaders both locally and globally. Through these networks, we stay informed of the latest advancements, emerging trends, and best practices, enabling us to provide our clients with the best possible guidance and support.”
Addressing Unique Evolving needs of Organisations
CLD MENA operates in close collaboration with various experts from diverse fields. They work with skilled trainers and experienced consultants who specialize in different aspects of HR, such as Emiritisation, employee training and development, and policy and procedure formulation.
Through this cross-functional approach, they are committed to delivering comprehensive and practical solutions that meet the organization’s and employees’ unique needs. One of the most significant hurdles in modern workplaces is ensuring employees remain engaged and motivated. This challenge is amplified with the younger generation, who tend to have a lower attention span of eight seconds and are always looking for the next big thing. As a result, HR departments play a vital role in finding ways to keep these younger employees engaged and invested. Failure to do so may lead to disengagement and losing talented employees to other companies.
Taking over from Omar, Masam continues, “We operate through a network of closely aligned associates and partnerships throughout the MENA region. We believe that the best collaboration model is to operate through industry leaders in each domain, providing our clients with the best-in-class solutions. With a relentless focus on the future. What made us successful previously is not the formula for future success. We continue to evolve as an organization with a keen eye on where the market is leading.”
Advice for Aspiring HR Professionals
When building a successful business, one of the most important things to focus on is internal service. After all, external service can never exceed your internal service, and the true strength of any organization lies in its people. Omar shares, “As an HR professional, your role is crucial in shaping your organization’s culture. How you treat your employees will directly impact how they treat your customers. Therefore, investing in your people, their growth, and your organization’s culture is essential.
Remember, culture eats strategy for breakfast. So, prioritize building a positive and supportive culture that empowers your employees to thrive and deliver their best work.”
“Being shortlisted for the best OD Consultancy and Training Company in 2023 at the CIPD awards was a personal high point for me as a Leader and professional. The project was a culmination of 12 months of hard work by the team, and to be recognised as one of the best initiatives across the MENA region was a personal source of pride for me,” shares Masam speaking of his incredible achievement.
Massam concludes, “Develop a network and leverage it as much as you can. No HR leader knows everything or has a solution to all the world’s problems. Continue to learn and take every single opportunity available to develop yourself. Finally, live outside your comfort zone. All progress in life comes exclusively in the stretch zone.”
