Meet with H. E. Sheikha Hind Al Mualla, a visionary leader in Education,
Renowned for her unwavering belief in the transformative power of faith, compassion, and resilience, Sheikha Hind Al Mualla has been a trailblazer in education. As a dreamer, innovator, and staunch advocate for fairness, she stands at the forefront of educational reform. Through her pioneering roles, she has introduced groundbreaking practices that prioritize creativity, innovation, and excellence, setting new standards in learning. In this exclusive interview, Sheikha Hind shares inspiring insights and reflects on her journey to reshape the educational landscape.
As Chief of Creativity, Happiness and Innovation what were some significant developments made towards ensuring quality education under your tenure at KHDA?
During my tenure at KHDA as Chief of Creativity, Happiness, and Innovation, we achieved several significant milestones aimed at enriching quality education. Our approach was two-fold:
Firstly, we championed the importance of well-being within Dubai’s private schools. This journey began with introducing well-being terminology into the educational lexicon, followed by launching a comprehensive well-being survey. These efforts were bolstered by the Dubai government’s progressive stance, allowing us to weave well-being into the fabric of our educational system.
Secondly, we established ‘Rahaal,’ an innovative platform designed to safeguard creative educational practices from restrictive regulations. This initiative has been pivotal in fostering a culture of innovation within schools, enabling educators to explore and implement novel teaching methodologies without bureaucratic constraints.
Both these initiatives received extensive media coverage, highlighting their uniqueness and the supportive learning environment they cultivated. What truly set these movements apart was their foundation in collaboration, design thinking, and trust among all stakeholders—principles that guided us toward creating a more inclusive and dynamic educational landscape.
As a leader, who has inspired you greatly? What leadership style do you exercise in your practices?
Leadership, for me, is a tapestry woven from the myriad influences of my life, each layer adding depth and perspective to my approach. Chief among these influences is my faith: Islam, and the exemplary leadership of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), have imbued me with values of compassion, fairness, and resilience. Growing up in the UAE, like many of my generation and the generations to come was also profoundly inspired by the visionary leadership of H.H. Late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan, the country’s founder.
His legacy, along with the luminary leadership of the UAE H. H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the current President of the UAE, and his deputy H. H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai.
n the realm of women leaders, H.E. Shaikha Lubna AlQassmi holds a special place in my journey. During my first internship, long before she became the first female minister, her innovative leadership style left a lasting impression. Witnessing the respect and admiration she garnered from her team, alongside her pioneering initiatives like flexible working hours, showed me the profound impact of compassionate and adaptive leadership.
Drawing from these rich sources, my leadership style is a blend of visionary and transformative approaches, characterised by empathy, innovation, and a deep commitment to engaging and empowering those around me. It’s about creating an environment where everyone feels valued and inspired to reach their full potential, mirroring the inclusivity and forward-thinking ethos of my inspirations.
What are result-oriented ways to motivate and charge your teams for peak performance?
The cornerstone of catalysing peak performance within a team is connecting every member to a purpose that transcends individual ambitions. This shared sense of purpose acts as a powerful motivator, aligning efforts towards common goals. However, purpose alone isn’t enough; it must be complemented by clearly defined, challenging yet attainable targets. Such targets spur growth and achievement, giving team members concrete milestones to strive for.
Transparency is another critical factor. By maintaining openness about goals and the metrics used to assess performance, team members feel respected and valued, which in turn fosters a culture of trust and accountability. Fairness, in both recognition and reward, further ensures that team members are motivated to contribute their best, knowing that their efforts and achievements are acknowledged equitably.
Lastly, nurturing an environment that encourages connection and builds supportive relationships is essential. This not only enhances teamwork but also creates a support system that enables individuals to overcome challenges and celebrate successes together.
In summary, motivating a team for peak performance involves a holistic approach that combines a compelling purpose, achievable goals, transparency, fairness, and a strong sense of community. Such an environment not only drives results but also fosters a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
How have you fostered innovation in your recent projects? Share some insights with us.
One of my most fulfilling projects is the development of Rahaal, an initiative under the Dubai 10X projects, during my tenure at the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). Rahaal stands as a testament to the transformative power of innovation in education, an effort I remain deeply proud of, not just for its inception but also for its enduring impact.
The foundation of Rahaal was grounded in the Dubai Government’s vision of empowering public servants to collaborate closely with stakeholders, crafting solutions that transcend traditional regulatory frameworks. This initiative represents a pioneering step towards creating pedagogies centered around empowerment, crafted through the synergistic efforts of parents, schools, and regulatory bodies.
What sets Rahaal apart, and a key factor in its success, is the inclusive approach adopted throughout its lifecycle—from conceptual analysis to design and implementation. By ensuring that the voices of all stakeholders were not just heard but
actively integrated into the project’s development, we fostered a sense of ownership and commitment that propelled Rahaal forward. This participatory model paved the way for innovative educational practices that continue to resonate within and beyond our community, as evidenced by the compelling stories that regularly emerge in the media.
The lasting impact of Rahaal, with its roots in collaboration and empowerment, underscores the project’s role as a beacon of innovation in education. It exemplifies how inclusive, forward-thinking approaches can lead to sustainable change, setting a benchmark for future initiatives.
What is an empowered woman? What should, a woman of today do, to have a more meaningful and enriching life?
An empowered woman, in my view, is one who is trusted and respected by her family, society, and peers, without her gender being seen as a barrier to her capabilities or aspirations. Empowerment transcends mere recognition; it encompasses the freedom to pursue a life that is both meaningful and enriching, defined by one’s own values and goals rather than societal expectations.
The journey to empowerment and fulfilment is deeply personal and varies widely among individuals. For some women, fulfilment may come from dedicating themselves to family care and being a central support system for their loved ones. For others, professional achievements and career progression represent a path to meaning and enrichment. Yet, for many, the ultimate aim is achieving a balance that harmonizes professional aspirations with personal satisfaction, evolving
as they navigate through different stages of life and learning.
Living and working in the UAE offers a unique backdrop for women’s empowerment. The UAE’s remarkable achievement, as highlighted by the recent announcement from the UNDP, where it soared to 7th rank globally and 1st regionally in the Gender Inequality Index 2024, is a testament to the nation’s commitment to fostering gender equality. This monumental progress is largely attributable to the dedicated efforts of the Gender Balance Council, led by H.H. Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Under her leadership, the council has implemented initiatives that significantly contribute to creating an environment where women can thrive and pursue a life of empowerment and fulfillment.
What are your aspirations? How do you plan to achieve them?
I want to see women leaders embrace what they bring to the institution, to the family and to the community. My aspiration is to witness a world where women leaders fully embrace and leverage their distinct contributions to institutions, families, societies, countries, and ultimately, the global community. I’ve observed too many instances where women relinquish their inherent feminist strengths—characterized by collaboration, compassion, and empowerment of the marginalized—adopting instead a more dominant approach to succeed in traditionally masculine environments.
By ‘feminist power,’ I refer to the innate ability to lead through empathy, to prioritize collective success over individual achievements, and to uplift those who are often overlooked. This power doesn’t diminish competitiveness but redefines it in a way that fosters inclusivity and holistic progress.
Achieving this vision begins with engagement in meaningful dialogue—one conversation at a time. These conversations are designed to inspire reflection and reevaluation of our preconceived notions about leadership and success. It’s through these reflective
moments that we can collectively recognize the value of feminist leadership qualities, not as secondary or alternative, but as essential and powerful forces for change and development.
The journey towards this goal involves creating spaces for dialogue across all levels of society—from corporate boardrooms to community gatherings—where the narrative around leadership and success can evolve to be more inclusive and empowering for everyone, especially for women who are yet to embrace their full potential.
