‘Leadership is key to
employees’ creativity’

This was affirmed in a seminar held by the Dubai Government Excellence Programme (DGEP) on Monday in the presence of Shaikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts.

Shaikh Majid receives a memento from Ahmed Al Nusairat as Abdulla Al Shaibani looks on during a seminar organised by the Dubai Government Excellence Programme. — KT photo by Shihab

The seminar titled “Excellent and creative performance... why and how?” was attended by Abdulla Al Shaibani, Secretary-General of the Dubai Executive Council; senior officials; dignitaries; experts and Dubai government employees.

Ahmed Al Nusairat, Coordinator-General of the DGEP, said the forum is in line with the Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Initiative for Government Innovation, ‘Ibdaa’.

“The initiative aims to provide a creative work environment to motivate employees, individually and collectively, to be creative rather than depending on an approach based on routine.

“Most of the Dubai Government services have become a role model and even a reference worldwide, basically due to our prudent and creative leader His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai,” he added.

Hazza Khalfan, Senior Manager — DGEP, told Khaleej Times that the drive also aims to improve corporate performance and the service provided to clients dealing with government departments and institutions.

“The initiative also encourages public sector employees to present creative ideas, developmental projects and initiatives that will contribute to the development of their institutions and the society, improve government services and boost national development.”

Dr Ahmed bin Hazeem, Director-General of Dubai Courts, said: “There are certain criteria we all need to meet to reach excellent performance. However, this is not enough; we need to do something extra, keep exerting utmost effort, and think out of the box.”

He added that every footballer plays a critical role in a team’s excellent performance. “Yet, we still need an inspired player such as Messi to be creative, let alone an inspiring environment, based on suggestions, and free from depression.”

Maj-Gen Dr Abdul Qudoos Al Ubaidali, Director-General of Total Quality Performance at the Dubai Police, said with over 200 definitions for creativity, he may simply identify it as thinking out of the box in a proper environment.

Shedding light on the godfather of creativity in Toyota Automobile tycoon who multiplied the employees’ suggestions from just 800 into over 700,000 every month, Maj-Gen Dr Al Ubaidali said the Dubai police give a documented ‘suggestion patent’ to encourage fruitful ideas.

“All managers in the Dubai Government are keen on creativity, however the problem is with those seniors who may suppress or depress an active employee with a mocking comment.”

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com