Workplace Transformation · Executive Coaching · Board Advisory
Unlocking Exceptional
Leadership Potential
Workplace transformation & executive coaching rooted in behavioral economics.
Building high-performing leaders and cultures for a fast-changing global economy.
Alaa Z. Alshaikh
Workplace Transformation Board & Executive Advisor | Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach
Deep Expertise, Globally Proven Results
Across markets worldwide
Trusted by Leaders
Workplace Transformation advisor, Gallup-Certified executive coach and Culture Transformation SME; former member of the EMEA Executive Management Team, entrusted to lead the MENA advisory practice.
Sector Expertise
Government & Public Sector · Financial Services · Aviation & Transportation · Technology, F&B & Industrial Manufacturing
Global Thought Leader
Published author and international speaker on workplace culture; trusted advisor to C-suite executives and boards.
A legacy of impact across the globe
The Global Case
Employee Engagement Is Falling Worldwide
The greatest opportunity lies in leadership development.
Global employee engagement, Gallup State of the Global Workplace
A Global Engagement Crisis
Global employee engagement fell to just 20% in 2025 — the lowest level since 2020 — costing the world economy an estimated $10 trillion in lost productivity.
A Workforce Ready to Move
50% of employees worldwide are open to, or actively seeking, a new job — while manager engagement itself has slipped to just 22%.
The Leadership Gap
70% of the variance in team engagement comes down to the manager alone, and 54% of employees say they'd leave a role that doesn't invest in their development.
The Bottom Line
A workforce that is disengaged, yet still hungry to grow — converting that energy into productivity and retention starts with leaders equipped to close the gap.
Service Line 01
Workplace Culture Transformation
Turning culture and engagement insights into lasting performance impact
The Case for Workplace Transformation
Engagement drives results, yet most transformations fall short
Engagement drives results
Higher profitability in the most engaged teams versus the least engaged
Higher sales productivity in the most engaged teams
Lower absenteeism in the most engaged teams
Yet most transformations fall short
Of organizational transformations improve performance and sustain the gains
Of transformations sustain their gains for more than three years
Of employees in the Middle East and North Africa are engaged at work, versus 20% globally
Sources: Gallup Q12 Meta-Analysis (top- vs. bottom-quartile engagement teams); McKinsey Global Surveys on organizational transformations; Gallup, State of the Global Workplace 2026. Figures reflect industry-wide research and are illustrative, not a guarantee of individual results.
Workplace Transformation Expertise
Turning culture and engagement insights into lasting performance impact
Employee Engagement
Measure what matters, then act on it.
- Qualitative discovery and survey design
- Survey set-up on any platform, plus advanced analytics
- Leader debriefs and team action planning
Culture Transformation
Build a culture that outlasts the change.
- Shared purpose, values and behaviors
- Leadership team alignment
- Embedding culture in systems and rituals
Leadership Enablement
Equip leaders to carry it forward.
- Individual executive coaching
- Team training and leadership workshops
- C-suite and board advisory
Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach · Global Culture Transformation SME · Workplace Transformation Board & Executive Advisor
Employee Engagement: From Insight to Action
A complete journey, from the first conversation to results the organization can use
- 1
Discover
A qualitative study with leaders and employees to shape the survey around what matters.
- 2
Design & Field
Advice on survey structure and set-up in the platform of your choice, then support to field it.
- 3
Analyze
Define the analytics needed beyond the platform and service provider’s standard reports.
- 4
Narrate
Craft and deliver the story the data tells to senior leadership.
- 5
Act
Post-measurement briefings and action planning with leaders and their teams.
of the variance in team engagement comes down to the manager alone. Real change comes not from what the data says but from what lies behind it, and it continues beyond the report into leader debriefs and team action.
Source: Gallup, State of the Global Workplace. Figure reflects industry-wide research and is illustrative, not a guarantee of individual results.
Culture Transformation That Lasts
From purpose to practice
Lasting impact is fueled by a shared ‘why’, not just a ‘what.’
- 1
Clarify the shared ‘what’ and ‘why’
Define purpose, values and the behaviors that bring them to life.
- 2
Align the leadership team
Build a common view of the culture you have and the one you need.
- 3
Embed it in how work gets done
Anchor new behaviors in routines, rituals, decisions and rewards to engender genuine enrollment and commitment.
- 4
Measure and sustain
Track progress with culture and engagement data and keep leaders, managers and everyone accountable for lasting impact.
Leading Through Change and Transition
When structures shift, engagement and culture need the most attention
Retain key talent
Spot flight risks early and strengthen the reasons great people stay.
Build a shared identity
Unite teams around a common purpose, whatever the new structure.
Equip leaders to lead change
Coach leaders through uncertainty so they can steady their teams.
Keep the pulse visible
Listen continuously so decisions reflect what employees experience.
Systemize learning and thinking
Embed systems thinking so a learning organization emerges, one that continuously challenges the status quo and sees the whole system.
Service Line 02
Leadership Excellence
Executive coaching rooted in behavioral economics
The Business Case
Why the World's Top Leaders Invest in a Coach
Executive coaching consistently delivers measurable returns
Median ROI reported by organizations that invest in executive coaching
Of organizations that track coaching ROI report recouping their investment, and more
Of coaching clients report improved self-confidence
Report measurably improved work performance
Of businesses that work with a coach report higher revenue than industry peers
Of organizations link coaching to stronger employee engagement
Sources: ICF/PwC Global Coaching Client Study; ICF & Human Capital Institute, Defining New Coaching Cultures (2023). Figures reflect industry-wide research and are illustrative, not a guarantee of individual results.
Why It Matters for Founders
The Case for Coaching Entrepreneurs
Mentored founders build stronger, more resilient businesses
Survival rate for mentored small businesses past five years — double the rate of those without support.
More likely for mentored entrepreneurs to grow revenue than those building without support.
Of CEOs say mentoring helped them avoid costly early-stage mistakes.
Of successful founders credit a mentor or support network — versus just 14% of those whose businesses failed.
Sources: U.S. Small Business Administration; UPS/National Mentoring Day small-business research; Xero small business survey. Figures reflect third-party small-business research and are illustrative, not a guarantee of individual results.
The Approach
A Proven Model in the Science of Behavioral Economics
Three stages, one continuous discipline of leadership
Know Yourself
Awareness from within
- Inner Awareness
- Balance
- Emotional Intelligence
Know Others
Building relationships & influence
- Communication
- Empathy
- Teamwork & Impact
Lead an Institution
Achieving results & sustainability
- Culture & Strategy
- Governance
- Execution
Engagements
A Set of Programs to Suit Every Leadership Level
All programs are built on the Know Yourself, Know Others, Lead the Institution model
Individual Leadership Training
One-on-one sessions for leaders and executives to develop self-leadership, emotional intelligence, and strategic decision-making skills.
Team Training
Collaborative sessions designed to strengthen teamwork, build trust, enhance communication, and align the team around shared goals.
Leadership Workshops
Interactive workshops to build leadership skills, focus on performance, provide feedback, and turn observations into meaningful improvements.
Organizational Culture Publishing
A comprehensive approach to embed a strong culture across the organization, enhance performance and development, and preserve employee retention.
All coaching engagements adhere to the ICF (International Coaching Federation) Code of Ethics & Professional Standards.
Alaa Z. Alshaikh
Executive Leader, Board Advisor & Transformation Architect
"Real growth emerges from discomfort, since lasting impact is fueled by a shared 'why' — not just a 'what.' I build things that matter, help leaders do the same, and create something that outlasts us."
Alaa Z. Alshaikh is a multi-disciplinary executive and board advisor who architects business turnarounds, scales ventures, and drives exponential growth across the GCC. He delivered 10x revenue growth for Gallup's fastest-growing global region, co-founded and scaled ventures to seven-figure valuations and IPO, and advises private and government clients on entrepreneurship, transformational leadership, culture, strategy, execution, business growth, and family business governance & succession. Board-tested, published, and Harvard-trained, his career is defined by one focus: translating ambitious vision into executable strategy — then leading the transformation required to deliver it.
Selected Impact
- 10x Revenue Growth — Built Gallup's MENA practice across three countries with 80% client retention — the firm's fastest-growing global region.
- IPO & PE Exits — Co-founded and scaled ventures to seven-figure valuations and successful private equity exits.
- $2BN Project Finance — Central to the funding arrangement and stakeholder alignment for Oman's landmark Blue City Project.
- 20+ Ventures Launched — Co-founder of Vanguard, spanning marine, technology, healthcare, aviation, F&B and industrial manufacturing.
- Board-Tested Governance — Concurrent board directorships, including the Entrepreneurs' Organization (Bahrain Chapter).
- Keynote Speaker & Thought Leader — Addressed the European Commission Headquarters and GCC leadership forums on culture and transformation.
- Executive Coach & Transformation Advisor — Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, 8+ years coaching C-suite leaders and shaping workplace culture across the GCC.
Core Capabilities
Strategic Leadership
Corporate Strategy & Market Expansion, P&L Management & Business Turnaround, Scale-Up Leadership & Organizational Design
Commercial & Growth
Revenue Growth & Market Penetration, Strategic Partnerships & Business Development, Stakeholder & Investor Relations
Governance & Advisory
C-Suite Advisory, Board Engagement, Organizational Culture Transformation, Employee Engagement, Executive Coaching & Leadership Development
Positioning
Board Advisor / Non-Executive Director · CEO / Managing Director · Executive Director
Credentials
MBA | PMP | CII | EFQM | Harvard Business School Executive Education
Languages
Arabic – English
Let's Start a Conversation About Excellence
Thank you for the opportunity to support your leadership journey.
MBA | PMP | CII | EFQM | Harvard Business School Executive Education
Manama, Bahrain & Riyadh, KSA