A new survey by Bayt.com highlights key leadership skills that impact workplace motivation, as well as areas where these skills are lacking. The poll gathered insights from respondents across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, and other countries.
Middle Eastern professionals overwhelmingly prioritise leaders’ ability to inspire and motivate teams, with 85.4 per cent of respondents identifying it as a vital leadership trait, according to the survey.
It was also revealed that 80 per cent of respondents emphasised the importance of stress management and resilience modelling by leaders to maintain team morale.
Poor communication emerged as the primary leadership obstacle, cited by 42 per cent of participants, followed by micromanagement at 22.3 per cent and favouritism at 20.4 per cent.
The survey highlighted a significant shift in leadership requirements, with 66.7 per cent of respondents stating that emotional intelligence has become more important compared to a decade ago. Of these, 40.6 per cent described it as “much more important.” Additionally, 82.5 per cent identified adaptability as essential for handling unexpected challenges.
Transformational leadership emerged as the preferred management style among 48.6 per cent of respondents, while 34.6 per cent favoured democratic leadership approaches. The majority of professionals, 69.3 per cent, supported weekly or bi-weekly leader-team check-ins.
When ranking critical leadership traits, communication skills led at 39.6 per cent, followed by vision at 35.5 per cent. Empathy ranked lower, with only 5.9 per cent considering it a key quality.
“Today’s leaders are expected to do more than just deliver results–they must also inspire their teams, build resilience, and create environments that foster innovation and growth,” said Dina Tawfik, VP of growth at Bayt.com.
“The importance of emotional intelligence and adaptability cannot be overstated; these qualities are crucial for leading effectively in a rapidly evolving workplace,” she added.
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