The 2025 Government Summit provided a remarkable platform to witness how visionary leadership and strategic talent deployment shape the future of governance. I was particularly amazed by the exceptional UAE ministers and the highly skilled human capital leading the summit alongside global experts from various fields and renowned journalists from top media outlets. This summit exemplified how competent and experienced individuals can drive innovation and transformation at the highest levels of government.
The importance of appointing talented individuals in governance cannot be overstated. Michael Barber, in his book How to Run a Government, emphasizes that the success of any administration hinges on selecting the most talented and experienced professionals in every field. According to Barber, effective governance demands leaders who can understand complex challenges, make data-driven decisions, and implement meaningful reforms. Without the right expertise, policies falter, execution suffers, and public trust erodes. Competent professionals bring efficiency, accountability, and innovation, ultimately delivering tangible improvements in citizens’ lives. Thus, smart appointments are the foundation of sustained progress in any government.
Similarly, Charlie Baker and Steve Kadish highlight in their book Results: Getting Beyond Politics to Get Important Work Done that “effective policy can only be achieved when there is effective implementation and operations.” They argue that while policies provide guidance and direction, it is the people who drive execution and ensure impactful results. The authors stress that people are policy—meaning the success of governance is directly linked to selecting individuals who not only understand their responsibilities but are also capable of delivering measurable, on-the-ground results. Good governance is not merely about crafting ambitious ideas but about ensuring the right people bring those ideas to life.
A compelling example of this principle in action is found in the leadership of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, as outlined in The Sheikh CEO: Lessons in Leadership from Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, by Dr. Yasar Jarrar. Sheikh Mohammed’s approach to governance is rooted in hiring visionary and competent leaders who drive real impact. His leadership philosophy revolves around performance, innovation, and accountability. By selecting ministers and executives based on their ability to execute ambitious projects and achieve measurable results, he has transformed Dubai into a global hub of excellence and progress. His belief in empowering the best minds has been instrumental in Dubai’s rise as a model for dynamic governance and sustainable development.
The 2025 Government Summit was a living testament to these leadership principles, with the UAE demonstrating how effective governance is achieved through strategic talent deployment. The country’s ability to assemble a team of skilled ministers, specialists, and thought leaders underscores the immense power of placing the right people in the right roles – and am happy that the president of the Republic of Somaliland was present in some the sessions. This approach reinforces the insights of Barber, Baker-Kadish, and Sheikh Mohammed—effective governance is not just about crafting policies but ensuring those policies are executed by capable professionals.
Ultimately, the summit highlighted a crucial lesson for governments worldwide: real transformation and national progress are achieved through the strategic appointment of skilled and visionary leaders. The UAE’s model serves as a reminder that the true engine of governance is talent. When nations prioritize selecting the best individuals for leadership roles, they lay the foundation for sustainable growth, innovation, and prosperity.
