Flashes of Thought : Inspired by a Dialogue at the Government Summit 2013

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Description

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, wrote in the introduction to this book: "In February 2013 the Government Summit was held in the UAE. It brought together officials and experts from around the world to share creative insights on how governments could make their services more effective, more efficient and more citizen-centric. I held an interactive question-and-answer session as part of the summit. It was a stimulating dialogue that offered glimpses into a wide range of topics, from management and leadership to personal life, success and its drivers. It was an opportunity to explain and to reflect. It became, in a way, a defining moment for a range of important ideas – including some that sit at the heart of our vision for this nation. So much so, in fact, that I was inclined to write a book documenting and expanding upon this dialogue. This book is wide-ranging, as was the session that inspired it. I have included topics that could not be discussed that day due to time constraints, and I have also extended some of my answers. Last but not least, I would like to point out that I am no scientist. Nor do I claim to be a wise philosopher. This is simply a collection of concise messages, experiences, ideas and thoughts, whose sole aim is to serve our nation and to bring some happiness to our fellow citizens".

Sujets

• POLITICAL SCIENCE

Informations

• Publié par: motivate
• Date de parution: 01 janvier 2013
• Nombre de lectures: 8
• EAN13: 9796500168142
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 3 Mo

Extrait

Flashes of Thought

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© The Executive Office of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Published 2013

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form (including photocopying or storing in any medium by electronic means) without the written permission of the copyright holders. Application for the copyright holders’written permission to reproduce any part of this publication should be addressed to the publishers, Motivate Publishing. In accordance with the International Copyright Act 1956 and the UAE Federal Law No. (7) of 2002, Concerning Copyrights and Neighboring Rights, any person acting in contravention of this will be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

Published by Motivate Publishing

Media One Tower, Dubai Media City PO Box 2331, Dubai, UAE Tel: [phone], fax: [phone] e-m www.booksarabia.comail: [e-mail]

ISBN: 978 1 86063 356 0

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data. A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Printed by Emirates Printing Press, Dubai

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Flashes of Thought

Inspired by adialogue at theGovernmentSummit 2013

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Foreword It is my pleasure to present Flashes of Thought, an important set of insights and reflections by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. I very much enjoyed listening to Sheikh Mohammed speak at the Government Summit that inspired this book. In the pages that follow, Sheikh Mohammed expands upon the views that he shared that day and also adds new material with fresh perspectives. It is a diverse book that combines personal experiences with his own ideas about leadership and life. 4

I was delighted to read the first draft of this book. Sheikh Mohammed, the rest of the rulers and I share a unified vision when it comes to government: its pursuit of excellence, its future, and its role in society. Like brothers, we recognise and honour the teachings of our nation’s founding fathers.

As Sheikh Mohammed explains: “The government should work towards the happiness of the people. It is an authority at the service of the people and not an authority over the people.”

It was a pleasure for the UAE to welcome more than 30 countries at the Government Summit, and to explore together the pathways to distinction and leadership in government services for citizens.

We must continue to learn from the experience of others, to exchange knowledge with others and to share our own insights with others. After all, it is by focusing on development – and nothing but development – that a nation may achieve sustainable well-being. Development is the driver of prosperity and fulfilment. This has been our focus in the UAE for more than 41 years.

I hope that all readers will benefit from this book. In particular, I say to our youth and to government officials: take this opportunity to learn from a successful Arab leader with many years of experience. God willing, I expect to see the insights of this book applied to the benefit of our nation and to the welfare of every citizen.

Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan President of the UAE

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Introduction

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In February 2013 the Government Summit was held in the UAE. It brought together officials and experts from around the world to share creative insights on how governments could make their services more effective, more efficient and more citizen-centric.

I held an interactive question-and-answer session as part of the summit. It was a stimulating dialogue that offered glimpses into a wide range of topics, from management and leadership to personal life, success and its drivers.

It was an opportunity to explain and to reflect. It became, in a way, a defining moment for a range of important ideas – including some that sit at the heart of our vision for this nation. So much so, in fact, that I was inclined to write a book documenting and expanding upon this dialogue.

This book is wide-ranging, as was the session that inspired it. I have included topics that could not be discussed that day due to time constraints, and I have also extended some of my answers.

Last but not least, I would like to point out that I am no scientist. Nor do I claim to be a wise philosopher. This is simply a collection of concise messages, experiences, ideas and thoughts, whose sole aim is to serve our nation and to bring some happiness to our fellow citizens.

We pray to Allah for success in serving our country an d its people.

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

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Contents

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36

Achieving happiness is our mission The government of the future Positive energy and positive thinking Development priorities of the UAE The victory sign Burj Khalifa Spirit of the Union A day in my life Number One Empowering women Horse riding, poetry and leadership The Gulf Cup Endurance My role model Time management The Arab Spring Arab Spring and investments Ideas and creativity UAE Vision 2021 Taking risks Challenges The impossible A gathering with business people Monitoring government performance Accession Day The UAE’s success Aid to the world Our expectations from employees Motivating teams One nation No time to waste Family tourism Leadership redefined Cabinet reshuffle A child’s dream A sound leader in a sound body

12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 42 44 48 52 54 58 62 64 68 70 72 82 86 90 92 96 100 104 108 112 116 120 124 128 132 136 140 142

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