The Venn diagram of a credible leader and a well-styled, expressive woman is not mutually exclusive in my world. I may not rule the world—neither corporate nor community—but I write this with conviction: the outdated leadership rule of “tone down, blend in, and be like men” must end. Now. There’s a false binary woman in […]
Tell us about yourself and your background. How did you get started in business, and what was your journey to founding MAISON VOGUETTE? My journey is a symphony of intentional evolution, composed in the vibrant corridors of Dubai and refined in the serene landscapes of Europe. It began with a deep commitment to Strategic Mastery. In Dubai—a city that breathes […]
Recently the conversation around scaling has shifted. It’s no longer just about capital, headcount, or market expansion — it’s about capacity. Not just operational capacity, but human capacity: focus, energy, emotional resilience, and decision-making clarity. The leaders rising right now — across founders, professionals, and senior decision-makers — aren’t just working harder or hiring faster. […]
As a Managing Partner at Crowe UAE, I have had the privilege of seeing leadership tested in its most demanding forms. Under scrutiny, under pressure, and under conditions where assumptions are no longer sufficient. In these moments, audit has consistently offered one of the most valuable leadership lenses I have encountered. Audit, at its core, […]
In a business world led by targets and metrics, leadership can sometimes become a performative function, where senior executives adopt a persona that they feel fits a pre-defined mould. Driven by the need for external validation, those leaders act on optics rather than authenticity, rarely building the trust it takes to succeed in the long-term. […]
When leaders should speak, and when restraint is the wiser choice The pressure to say something is overwhelming. Since Iranian strikes began hitting the Middle East in late February 2026, business leaders throughout the region have faced an unfamiliar dilemma: speak publicly and risk misreading a fast-moving situation, or stay silent and appear absent when […]
Every year around International Women’s Day, companies across the Middle East publish glossy statements about gender equality. When the month ends, the numbers barely shift. That gap between rhetoric and reality is one of the most expensive inefficiencies in the region’s economy. This is not a conversation about values. It is about competitive advantage. Middle […]
Tell us about yourself and your background I’m originally from Milan, Italy, and after university I moved to Canada, a decision that shaped both my life and professional path for more than two decades. Those 23 years were formative. They exposed me to different cultures, leadership styles, and ways of thinking, and expanded my understanding […]
Poor communication is affecting your business. And often, it’s leadership that needs to take the hardest look in the mirror. We see it everywhere: overly complicated visions, internal structures that hinder diverse communication styles, and executive egos that override emotional intelligence. The result? Resentment, high turnover, and an increased error quota. Communication is the literal […]
Shalin Balasuriya is the Co-Founder of Spa Ceylon and a globally recognised voice in modern wellness, branding, and entrepreneurship. Raised in Sri Lanka and deeply influenced by its culture and heritage, he has spent over two decades building brands that go beyond products, focusing instead on how people feel and live. Blending ancient Ayurvedic wisdom […]
