How young Emiratis can put us all on the fast track

Mohammed Kazim

• Last Updated: November 22. 2009 7:26PM UAE / November 22. 2009 3:26PM GMT

We all know the stereotype: the average Emirati cannot work and lacks motivation. But let’s examine the bigger picture.

Since the formation of the UAE, the federal Government has protected Emiratis by giving them priority for jobs in both the public and private sectors. The Emiratisation programme requires companies to hire and train a quota of UAE nationals.

The programme might be considered essential for a young country in which its own nationals are a minority, and often lack the experience or knowledge to perform certain tasks; but it has led to inefficiency, to young Emiratis being in the wrong jobs, and to an induced over-reliance on the system. This manifests itself in some Emiratis as either laziness, or a lack of passion or drive for what they do.

As I see it, there are three main issues here. The first is the socio-economic background of many young Emirati professionals who join the corporate world seeking self-development, and because they want to contribute to the nation-building process. They are not driven to work by necessity, and need incentives other than money; that is already available to them.

The second issue is the absence of a respect-driven disciplinary system that would hold UAE nationals accountable to deadlines and professional standards, while taking into account cultural perceptions.

The third issue is the lack of trust in Emirati employees – a perception within some elements of the expatriate community, based on a few bad experiences they may have had, that Emiratis are not diligent. This lack of trust from mentors and colleagues further alienates Emirati employees and destroys their motivation to excel.

Expatriates interact most frequently with young, educated Emiratis, often new graduates and the first in their families to hold degrees.

We all need mentors in the early stages of our professional development. The key ingredients that define our early self-confidence are the trust our mentors have in us and the tools we are provided with. We feel we cannot betray that trust, so we strive to deliver using those tools.

The developmental psychologist Erik Erikson described this "trust versus mistrust" phenomenon as the first stage of a human being’s social development from infancy to adulthood. Similarly, a fresh graduate or a young employee can be compared to an infant in the corporate world.

To optimise Emirati potential and enhance teamwork, managers – both national and expatriate – need to learn how to revive that desire in Emiratis to contribute to the nation-building process. That desire, along with respectful disciplinary measures, trust in Emiratis’ competence, and a little mentoring, would yield fascinating results.

Which brings me to this month’s Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi – an event with a genuinely global profile that brought an influx of visitors to the UAE.

Forget for a moment the visually stunning Yas Marina circuit, the infrastructure that supports it, and the world-class development going on around it. For me, the truly impressive part was what was happening in the grandstands, full of motor-racing enthusiasts and others there just to have a good time.

Amid the sea of red Ferrari caps bearing the logo “Mubadala – Abu Dhabi” were a large number of young Emirati men and women in national dress. Their job was to help the crowds and to educate them about the event, and about the UAE in general. Representing their country, the level of service and hospitality these volunteers demonstrated surpassed all expectations.

I had a conversation with one of them, a young Emirati professional called Safeya, who works for one of the event sponsors and had joined up with Takatof, the flagship social volunteering programme of the Emirates Foundation. When I asked her what had persuaded her to do this, she told me: “All it took was a little trust and the desire to contribute to my country.”

Seeing Safeya, elegantly dressed in her abaya and volunteer ribbon, waving the UAE flag with pride as guests left the grandstands, made me realise the passion that Emiratis have to offer. If this passion is channelled correctly, we can enhance teamwork and build a nation with quality and dedication.

The question is: are you ready to leave your comfort zone, abandon the stereotype, and trust us?



Mohammed Kazim is an Emirati healthcare analyst and commentator based in Abu Dhabi