Sharjah: The executive education programme 'Leading Through Crisis: Before, During and After Disruption,' organized by the American University of Sharjah's (AUS) Executive Education, brought together senior business leaders and corporate decision-makers from government, semi-government, and leading private sector organizations across the UAE on May 21 at AUS. The invitation-only event aimed to address the challenge of leading with clarity, confidence, and strategic foresight in environments marked by volatility and rapid change.
According to Emirates News Agency, the programme commenced with Dr. Tod Laursen, Chancellor of AUS, welcoming participants while emphasizing the importance of timely discussions on leadership in complex environments. Brian Lott, Chief Communications Officer of Mubadala, delivered a keynote address and engaged in a fireside chat, sharing insights on navigating periods of disruption by fostering trust, maintaining clarity, and aligning communication with decisive action.
Dr. Salah Brahimi, Vice Chancellor for External Relations at AUS, remarked that the programme exemplified the university's commitment to creating high-value platforms that connect academic expertise with industry leadership priorities. He noted that crisis leadership is a crucial capability for organizations today and highlighted the programme's role in enhancing decision-making capacity, organizational resilience, and leadership readiness before crises occur.
A significant part of the programme was a masterclass titled 'When Crisis Comes to Your Door: The Decisions That Determine What Comes Next,' led by Dr. John E. Katsos, Professor of Management at AUS. The session explored why traditional crisis playbooks often fail and how pre-disruption decisions can impact an organization's ability to respond and recover with resilience.
Dr. Katsos emphasized that crises often cascade, affecting multiple aspects of an organization, and highlighted the importance of building distributed authority and honest information channels before a crisis hits. He stressed that the period following a crisis should be used to prepare for future challenges rather than merely focusing on survival.
Participants also attended 'Executive Self-Regulation in Crisis: Leading with Clarity Under Pressure,' an interactive workshop led by Randy Helou, Managing Director of Synertia Consulting. The workshop provided practical tools for managing stress responses and maintaining clarity during volatile moments.
Sheikha Nouf Al Khalifa, Executive Director of Executive Education at AUS, stated that the programme was designed to meet the critical needs of senior leaders by building decision-making capabilities, strengthening team resilience, and incorporating real-world perspectives. She reiterated AUS Executive Education's commitment to supporting leaders and organizations through future-focused, practice-oriented learning.
Dr. Mohammad Hourani, CEO of Saif Al Ghurair Foundation, reflected on the programme's value, noting that resilience must be built proactively before disruption occurs. He emphasized the importance of proactive communication, empowering teams, and adapting quickly to guide organizations to emerge stronger from crises.
