Navigating Leadership in a Competitive World.

Mushtaq Hussain, CFO of Najmat Al-Samawa—a subsidiary of ASLIL, UAE Navigating Leadership in a Competitive World

In today's globalized and complex business environment, the role of a CFO has never been more critical—or more dynamic. Beyond managing costs and profitability, today's CFOs are strategic architects, influencing growth, talent development, technological transformation, and even environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. They're the linchpins of the C-suite, ensuring every aspect of the business ecosystem operates seamlessly.

Mushtaq Hussain, CFO of Najmat Al-Samawa—a subsidiary of ASLIL, UAE—exemplifies this new era of financial leadership. With deep experience in the cement manufacturing sector, Mushtaq is driving sustainable growth by leveraging his financial acumen and leadership vision.

In an exclusive interview with Corporate World Magazine, Mushtaq shared his journey and perspectives on leading through transformation. Below are the key insights from our conversation.

1. What’s your secret to impactful leadership in today’s competitive landscape?

Leadership is fundamentally a mindset. It shapes how you think and act with empathy, integrity, and precision. While no leader is perfect, I believe there are key qualities that define effective leadership in today’s dynamic world. These include empathy, true communication, patience, and a clear vision. These traits help leaders build trust, foster strong teams, and navigate change effectively.

2. Can you reveal the core values and strategies that fuel your achievements?

The pillars of my success are integrity, a positive attitude, and adaptability. Working with global organizations has highlighted the importance of adapting to new environments while maintaining core leadership principles. Each industry has unique dynamics, but adaptability and strategic vision remain constants. Building strong, cohesive teams and fostering open communication are essential across all sectors—be it manufacturing, construction, appliances, or tech. These strategies ensure sustained growth and success.

3. Give us an overview of your professional journey and share the milestones that have defined your path to success.

I’m a Certified Corporate Director with CPA, MBA, and MBEcon degrees from reputed institutions. My professional journey spans over two decades, including extensive experience in multicultural environments across MENA and even war-zone areas. I’ve managed multi-million-dollar financing for mega projects and implemented ERP/MRP systems as a change management expert.

Some key motivators have been:

• A deep sense of responsibility

• Upholding integrity

• Embracing new challenges

• Engaging with top-tier companies and stakeholders

These factors have shaped my journey and contributed to my achievements.

4. What are the key qualities you prioritize in your leadership to foster a culture of excellence?

Leadership isn’t just about directing a team; it’s about embodying values that foster trust and organizational excellence. High-integrity leadership is non-negotiable, whether in startups or global corporations.

Key strategies include:

• Empowerment and Delegation: Providing team members with leadership opportunities to build confidence and decision-making skills.

• Mentorship and Coaching: Sharing experiences to help team members grow.

• Continuous Learning: Supporting workshops, training, and certifications.

• Setting Clear Goals: Aligning individual aspirations with organizational objectives.

• Encouraging Innovation: Creating an environment where new ideas thrive.

• Constructive Feedback: Regularly highlighting strengths and areas for improvement.

• Collaboration: Promoting teamwork and peer learning.

• Decision-Making and Risk-Taking: Preparing leaders to perform under pressure.

These elements cultivate capable leaders who drive organizational success.

5. What approach do you use when making complex decisions, particularly when balancing short-term challenges with long-term goals?

My philosophy is simple: "At the end of the day, the team wins in all business situations." I adopt a transformational approach focused on training, brainstorming, and delegation.

Balancing short-term and long-term goals involves a strategic perspective. Long-term planning sets the foundation, while short-term objectives serve as stepping stones. This dual focus is crucial in both personal and professional life, ensuring sustainable success. Navigating modern challenges requires understanding immediate needs without losing sight of the broader vision.

6. With over 23 years of experience, what has your journey to success been like, and what guiding principles or "success mantra" have driven you along the way?

Success isn’t an everyday event—it’s the result of consistent hard work. Different people define success differently, but for me, key factors have been continuous effort, training and development, team building, and delegating authority. Achieving success involves meeting milestones through persistence and strategic action.

7. With your wealth of industry experience, what advice do you offer to emerging leaders in the field?

I encourage emerging leaders to adopt a growth mindset, centered on team-building. Lead with empathy and curiosity—understand your team’s strengths, aspirations, and needs, and align them with organizational goals. Innovate boldly and challenge the status quo to foster growth and productivity.

Create a culture of continuous learning and collaboration, where individuals feel empowered to contribute and develop. Most importantly, be resilient. Growth is a long-term journey requiring patience, consistency, and a solutions-focused mindset. These principles will help shape the next generation of leaders.

Mushtaq Hussain, CFO of Najmat Al-Samawa, sharing his leadership approach and strategies in navigating a competitive business environment. Keywords: Navigating Leadership in a Competitive World