In October 2017, the most prominent innovative and modern administrative principle was outlined by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Chairman of the Council of Ministers. The Crown Prince presented the principle in front of more than 2,500 global leaders and innovators participating in the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh. The event garnered attention from hundreds of millions through major international news agencies. Holding a phone in his hand, the Crown Prince drew a compelling comparison between the the outdated and restricted capabilities of the old system and the advanced, flexible nature of the new system.
In my view, the futuristic visionary message His Highness intended was not merely a comparison between the city of the future, “NEOM,” and current cities. It conveyed the idea that both the old and the new systems could serve the purpose if they were just communication devices for calls and text messages. However, “innovation” is the crucial message. Apple’s ability to start where others stop represents the vital strategic line in Saudi Vision 2030, championed by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Innovation cannot be achieved without “passion,” a simplified definition of leadership in the organizational context, away from the various theories and terminologies. It is linked to a leader who has the desire to make a difference wherever they go.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is a leader who embodies the highest levels of “passion.” If we reflect briefly on the recent days, especially with the historic announcement of the general budget for the year 2024, we find that His Highness did not give an opportunity for local economists and experts to discuss the developmental projects and the future directions of the state. Shortly after announcing the budget, within a timeframe not exceeding 24 hours, he launched the urban plan for the city of Al-Qiddiya and its brand. In comparison to its futuristic and investment plans, it is not just a city but rather a “new world within a state.” Besides becoming a global leader in economics, entertainment, sports, and culture, serving as a cornerstone for Vision 2030, it will create over 325,000 quality job opportunities. This emphasizes the qualitative human element, especially in the face of unemployment crises that economically advanced countries have been experiencing for years.
Successful experiences
The passion we have become accustomed to from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is the continuity of massive developmental projects. Occasionally, he announces them, and they stand out for their integration with the vision, creating successful experiences in vital areas such as tourism, entertainment, culture, and sports. We haven’t forgotten the historic announcement of Riyadh winning the bid to host Expo 2030, with a historical margin of votes. Before that, the announcement of Saudi Arabia hosting the 2034 World Cup, and before that, many more. “NEOM,” “AlUla,” and “Abha” are nothing but examples of developmental milestones spoken about, with the other side represented by the Saudi people and providing future possibilities for them. It makes us wish to go back in time to experience the dream that, with passion, His Highness periodically announces through its advertisements and tidings. Meanwhile, we witness significant developments, and the implementation of important projects is expedited in record time.
Tangible application
The passion we experience is a tangible application, not just administrative and leadership theories. Directly through work and follow-up, we enjoy the experience of his passion. It has reflected on His Highness’s choices for leadership positions in various vital fields. Many models have been enabled by the Crown Prince, possessing the passion he outlined in his leadership vision. There have been numerous accomplishments, and we are currently reaping their fruits, with more to come in the future.
Talking about “passion” as a guiding principle masterfully led by the visionary architect, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, it is essential to delve into those who have embraced his approach and worked accordingly. After being entrusted and empowered by His Highness, they excelled in embodying this crucial trust. Discussing “passionate individuals” becomes an intriguing conversation, opening avenues to talk about remarkable achievements that would not have been possible without “passion” from my perspective.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal
It is inevitable not to consider the work principle of His Royal Highness in selecting leaders, emphasizing, alongside competence and ability as fundamental criteria, the importance of “passion” in the responsible individual. One of the most beautiful examples set by His Highness is the Minister of Sports, His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal. He illustrated that sports is not just a ministerial position he holds; rather, it is a personal cause representing his passion to make Saudi sports globally prominent. The hosting of international Formula One races, the hosting of the World Cup, and the Saudi football league achieving international standings are ambitious goals. This not only represents a sport but also an economy, entertainment, and a means to convey the Kingdom’s culture to the world through various channels.
Advisor Turki Al Al-Shikh
His Excellency Advisor Turki Al Al-Shikh and his successes in sports and entertainment are grounded in the talent of passion he possesses, enabled by His Highness the Crown Prince with all available resources. He succeeded in bringing about a shift in the sports landscape, especially in football, which is the cornerstone we witness today. When he assumed the role of the head of the Entertainment Authority, we observed a significant transformation in this vital sector, considered one of the key pillars in Saudi Vision 2030. The ambition of this sector is to be one of the top 10 entertainment sectors globally in the country. The current leap we are experiencing underscores the Kingdom’s status as a global entertainment destination, proving how passion can turn dreams and the seemingly impossible into tangible reality.
Minister Abdullah Alswaha
Engineer Abdullah Alswaha, Saudi minister of Communications and Information Technology, is among those distinguished by the school of “passion” in every sense of the word. Personally, I witnessed the Ministry of Communications when its role was purely organizational. However, with Alswaha, it transformed into a different and forward-looking concept. The Ministry and the Minister evolved from mere limited tasks to higher horizons. The practical goals included increasing the sector’s contribution to the GDP by SAR50 billion, attracting foreign investments, empowering women, raising the localization rate, supporting entrepreneurs, and creating innovative opportunities.
The Kingdom, under his leadership, became a global hub in the field by providing opportunities and resources to major players. The success of the “Leap” exhibition is a model for creating opportunities and competes successfully with major international forums. We also can’t overlook the Minister’s educational and motivational role, employing an academic approach to create a passionate generation aligned with the vision of the Crown Prince.
Minister Saleh Al-Jasser
With the launch of the Crown Prince’s General Plan for Logistics Centers in the Kingdom, and the connection of this vital sector with the Ministry of Transport under one umbrella, we find that the talent of passion, which Prince Mohammed bin Salman found in the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, Engineer Saleh Al-Jasser, contributed significantly to realizing the Vision’s goals to establish the Kingdom as a global logistics hub. The Kingdom leaped an historic 17 positions globally in the Logistics Performance Index released by the World Bank last April.
Minister Al-Jasser, with his passionate approach, solidifies his leadership, continually announcing plans and achieved results in the vital transportation and logistics sector. This not only reflects the importance of this sector but also its developmental role that influences various vital sectors.
Governor Abdullah Alabdulkarim
Since innovation is synonymous with passion, we have remarkable success stories on a global scale in a vital and crucial sector: water. The experience of His Excellency, governor of the Saline Water Conversion Corporation, engineer Abdullah Alabdulkarim, stands as a model of an outstanding leader with a talent for passion. The Corporation’s concept evolved from mere seawater desalination to creative innovation. The Kingdom ranked first globally and succeeded with more than 22 registered international patents. The passion-driven leadership made desalination a global platform for international innovators in this field, organizing major conferences and supporting global innovators. Alabdulkarim’s passion for innovation and his support for entrepreneurs in this field tell a success story that exemplifies thinking outside the box.
Professor Ernest Forman
From our diverse professional experiences, we often hear and praise the important term “passion”. It consistently makes a difference, and sometimes we find difficulty in having a “passionate” leader for various reasons. One of the most important reasons is that passion, as a skill, is not acquired or dependent on managerial accumulations and experiences. It is a “skill” not tied to a specific age. We find passionate individuals renowned for this talent with varying ages. I know about the experience of Professor Ernest Forman at George Washington University, who is approaching ninety years old, possessing significant financial wealth. Yet, his love and passion as a university professor, imparting knowledge, keep him engaged in academic passion. He continues to teach at the university, commuting twice a week from Florida to Washington, a journey taking two hours by plane. He has not stopped due to age, distance, or even his substantial financial satisfaction…
Global football player Cristiano Ronaldo
Since passion is a crucial quality for those in leadership positions in the Kingdom, according to the vision of the Crown Prince, there are numerous passionate leaders we take pride in for their distinguished work. Naturally, this article cannot be limited to the mentioned names, but due to my proximity to the experiences of many of them and my personal interaction with their directions, it is appropriate to address the theme of “passion” with them as models and limitless examples. This does not prevent the inclusion of individuals distinguished by passion in the future. Passion is indeed the most important skill for every individual, whether in a high or medium position.
We have a different and renowned model in this field: the global player Cristiano Ronaldo. His passion knows no bounds. Neither his age, estimated wealth of over $700 million, nor his global fame stopped him. Watching him play with Al-Nassr club, he exudes enthusiasm and passion as if playing for the first time. His passion continues beyond sports, especially in various financial investments.
Final thought
From my perspective, delving into the “passionate” and studying their successes up close is an important path to gain experiences, knowledge, and emulation for the sake of distinctive and different achievements. This opportunity, alongside scientific and practical experience, leads to achieving extraordinary success. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman serves as the best example, leading the era of “passion” in the new Saudi Arabia.
Mohammed Alrashidi is a Saudi journalist.
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