Jihane Labib: Leading the Leaders Toward Transformation

Jihane Labib helps leaders become better. Better at leading their team. Better at dealing with changing situations. What makes her the go-to for leadership coaching? Her experience dealing with insane deadlines, break-neck pace of work, and different teams across MNCs. This chapter of her life taught her what leadership is all about.

“Leadership is not just about positions,” she says. “It’s about transformation.”

That insight shaped her next move. She wanted to help leaders grow in ways that went beyond performance metrics. “Shaping Leaders, Transforming Lives” became her mission, and in 2012 she founded Coachinglab Academy, now an ICF-accredited Level 1 and Level 2 institution. She also founded Lwasl group a leadership company based in UAE.

Since then, she has delivered more than 15,000 hours of executive coaching, team facilitation, and leadership advisory in over 20 countries, working with corporations, governments, and NGOs. Her approach blends cultural understanding with strategies that can be put into action. “Whether I’m working with a CEO in Dubai or a public sector leader in North Africa, the aim is the same — measurable impact,” she says.

A Program Built for the Modern Leader

Among the academy’s most recognised offerings is the Future-Fit Executive Coaching Program. Over ten sessions, participants receive one-on-one coaching, leadership assessments, and personalised action plans. The program helps leaders uncover their authentic leadership style, clarify their vision, and connect it with organisational goals.

“I’ve seen people walk in unsure of their influence and walk out leading cross-regional projects with confidence,” Jihane recalls. “I’ve seen teams that once worked in silos start creating solutions together.” Those shifts, she says, are the most rewarding part of her work.

Struggles of Leadership

Over the years, Jihane has observed something about leadership. Industries and regions may differ but three challenges remain the same:

Challenge 1: Guiding teams through uncertainty

Challenge 2: Achieving goals without losing the team’s trust

Challenge 3: Leading a diverse team of different cultures and generations

In fast-growing regions like the UAE and GCC, these challenges are even sharper. “Leaders here are driving rapid growth while navigating complex cultural landscapes,” she explains. “Vision has to meet cultural awareness if it’s going to succeed.”

Leadership in an AI Era

Alongside running Lawsl Group & Coachinglab Academy, Jihane is pursuing a PhD in Education and Artificial Intelligence. She views AI as a powerful tool for speeding up decisions, but insists its value depends on the leader’s ability to use it wisely. “AI can provide insights in real time,” she says. “But it’s human judgment that decides what to do with them.”

For her, the leaders who will thrive in the future are those who excel in areas technology cannot replace. “Empathy, creativity, ethical thinking, and the ability to inspire — these will always matter,” she notes. Continuous learning, she adds, is no longer optional. “Yesterday’s answers won’t solve tomorrow’s problems.”

A Message for Women Leaders

Jihane’s advice to women in leadership is straightforward. “Walk into every room knowing you belong there,” she says. She has worked with women leaders across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, North America, and Asia, and believes their insight is essential on the global stage. “Your heritage, resilience, and ambition are powerful assets,” she adds. “Use them.”

She also reminds all leaders that influence comes from more than titles. “Your greatest impact will come from clarity of vision, courage in action, and consistency in values.” Connect with Jihane Labib on LinkedIn here.

Continuing the Mission

Over the years, Jihane has partnered with organisations such as YAZAKI, Société Générale, Danone, Bel, APM Terminals, Siemens Healthineers, Samsung, Orange, The Dubai Entrepreneurship Academy and more. These collaborations reinforce her belief that leadership development is not a side initiative, but a strategic necessity.

What’s on the horizon for her? Continuing to help leaders become better.