What It Takes To Be a Global Change Leader

Daniel Sharaiha is the Chief HR Officer and Customer Experience Officer at Bank-al-Etihad. A proud husband and father of two daughters, he graduated from the Executive Change Leadership MSc program at HEC Paris and Oxford Said Business School. More than two decades after earning his first degree in electrical engineering, Daniel has emerged as a leading voice in global change management and leadership and a devoted humanitarian. He passionately advocates for gender equality, women's empowerment, children's rights, and youth and adult education. As the Executive Education Student Speaker for Commencement 2024, his speech electrified the audience. “Maybe what we really need is to learn how to love others—those who are like us and those who are different from us. My hope is that, whatever your next step is, it will be about more than just making money. Maybe it will also be about bringing justice, fairness, hope, peace, tolerance, life, unity, humanity, sustainability, and a little bit of love.”

Besides being a banking professional leader, you're also someone with humanistic views and interests, and you have some creative hobbies such as puppet play. Can you tell us more about these activities? 

Daniel Sharaiha: Years ago, I volunteered with NGOs in Jordan and the region, doing a lot of storytelling as a puppeteer for children, which I still do. I worked with refugees from Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and other countries, helping with fundraising, food package deliveries, and more. I also serve on the board of Save the Children in Jordan and other boards focused on improving the livelihoods of youth in the region. Additionally, I’m a board member with Global Learning Partners, a Canadian organization enhancing adult learning through dialogue. I also work with NGOs in Lebanon and the region, focusing on refugees and education.

While my profession is in banking, human capital, and customer experience, my heart is also with the NGO sector. Sometimes, I use hand puppets to deliver messages that children receive better than from a human. Through storytelling and puppet shows, I can perform entire plays using three or four different voices, changing my voice for each puppet.

I was struck by your advocacy for women's rights. It's inspiring to see men raising their voices as allies for gender equity. In a world with so many causes to support, how can men find the strength to be better allies for gender equity? 

Daniel Sharaiha: I love being part of the "HeForShe" campaign. I believe that what defines a man is how he treats and respects women. Unfortunately, in our part of the world, women do not have equal rights in many cases. The government is making significant efforts in Jordan to bridge that gap, but we still have a long way to go. Women's participation in the workforce in Jordan is among the lowest in the world.

While the percentage has improved slightly in recent years, we are still among the five worst countries regarding women's workforce participation. This is despite women having the highest percentages in education; if you visit any university, you'll find that 50-60% of the students are women. Yet, they struggle to find jobs, partly due to high unemployment rates in our region. Women are disproportionately affected by economic challenges, especially post-conflict or post-COVID. I believe our duty as men is to stand up for what is right, including advocating for women's rights.

Besides these staggering statistics, how can men focus on women's rights when there are so many causes, as I said, to fight for in the world? 

 Daniel Sharaiha: The issue is that decision-making positions are predominantly held by men. If we can lobby as many men as possible to do what is right and be fair in the hiring process, they will naturally hire more women. The decision-making power currently lies with men, so if we can shift that power towards women, we will see more fairness in the world.

You began your Commencement speech by saying, ‘I'm a Christian Arab from Jordan and the Middle East, a region where Christianity was born over 2000 years ago’.  How does your background influence your experiences and perspectives? 

Daniel Sharaiha: Inclusion and diversity still need attention in the Middle East. In Jordan, we're fortunate that most laws and practices are fair and religion-neutral. However, Christians make up only two percent of the population, and their numbers are declining throughout the region. This situation puts pressure on minorities to self-preserve, self-protect, and prove their commitment to their communities. As a Christian in Jordan, I feel an even stronger sense of duty to my country. 

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about the change leadership program at HEC Paris Executive Education? 

Daniel Sharaiha: During the program, the change management and leadership process the faculty followed stood out to me. Each part focused on either self-change or organizational change. They took us on an incredible journey of self-exploration and reflection, and then expanded that to the organizational level, whether it be a company, startup, or country. The emphasis was on creating sustainable change that can withstand obstacles and challenges, which was very enriching. It provided me with a deeper understanding of myself and others, with organizational behavior being a significant component.

Before choosing this program, I considered many other prestigious universities, but this one captured my attention and heart due to its collaboration between HEC Paris and Oxford. It wasn't a competition but a partnership, which I found amazing. Half of the program took place at Oxford and the other half at HEC Paris, enriching the experience in a powerful way that I haven't seen in any other program.  

Can you tell us more about your cohort and the impact this community has had on you? What unique talents did you encounter? 

Daniel Sharaiha: Our cohort had 26 people from 23 countries, speaking 22 languages. The diversity was overwhelming and incredible, with ages ranging from 25 to about 60 years old. I appreciated every single one of them. Each person had a story to tell, from India to the US to France to Germany, and every story left a mark on me. I believe I did the same for them. There was a lady from Saudi Arabia who had a huge impact on me as well. It felt like we had all the countries of the world in our class, which was so enriching. The value of the education was matched by the diversity of our group.

A funny yet unforgettable moment was that after ten to twelve hours of learning each day, we would put on some music and start showing each other our local dances. It was fun and special.

If you had to describe your experience at HEC Paris in one word only, what would it be? 

Daniel Sharaiha: Enchanting.  

According to studies you cited from the World Bank, as we discussed at the beginning of our conversation, 2.7 billion women worldwide cannot access the same job opportunities as men. On average, women earn 10 to 30 percent less than men. As you mentioned in your commencement speech, the average annual income in France is $40,000, which is 45 times more than the combined average of the lowest ten countries. How do these statistics affect you personally? 

Daniel Sharaiha: These statistics motivate me to create the change we need in the world. Situations of gender inequality and disparities between people from different countries make me sad and angry. I try to act by creating some parity wherever I am—so in my country, it's gender equality. I want to make things right, but many global issues need to be tackled, from sustainability and the environment to war, crime, and education. There are countless causes that others can also take on to create parity and equality in our world.

You also mentioned, ‘Think of creating change and maybe, just maybe, leading it.' What do you believe is the difference between creating change and leading it?

 
Daniel Sharaiha: There’s a difference between trying to create initiatives and leading them, making them sustainable and contagious. One definition of leadership is the influence to do something you believe is right or needs to be done. It’s one thing to create initiatives, as we see many around us, but taking those initiatives to the next level—to make them a national or even global issue—is what truly defines leadership. It’s about having others be influenced by the initiatives we create.

What key ingredients or qualities are essential for achieving this level of leadership? How do you develop and maintain this ability to inspire and lead effectively? 

Daniel Sharaiha: I think this reflects a cultural difference. In the West, individuality is highly praised; living on your own and doing what you think is right is considered paramount. In the East, where I come from, there is a more community-driven mentality. The holistic approach values the tribe, the village, and the community. I believe these two perspectives can complement each other. It's not just about me, my needs, my freedom, and my individuality. The decisions I make impact others.
Take global warming, for instance. Our countries are affected by the industrial activities of the West and other regions. Someone makes a decision, but it impacts others on the other side of the world. I believe it’s time to care about something beyond our own interests and consider the broader impact of our actions.

Your commencement speech about love and empathy to the 4,500 attendees was truly moving. How can these sentiments be effectively manifested in organizations and society as a whole? 

Daniel Sharaiha: I believe empathy is one of the most valuable qualities we can possess because it allows us to truly understand others. Change starts when we step out of our own skin and put ourselves in someone else's shoes, experiencing their suffering, misery, hopes, dreams, and joys. Empathy, in my opinion, is the core value of humanity. At the bank where I work, we prioritize empathy, and it makes a significant difference. The opposite of empathy might be apathy or indifference, where you only care about yourself. That's why I think empathy is the mother of humanity and a value that can truly change the world.

Is there anything else you would like to add to our discussion that we haven't covered yet?

Daniel Sharaiha: In conclusion, I believe the world is much smaller than we think. I love the theory of six degrees of separation, which suggests that the distance between you and anyone else in the world is just six people. If you want to meet someone in Africa or any other part of the world, there are only six connections needed to reach them. The world is a small network, a small village, much smaller than we realize.

Do you have a message for executives who are leading organizations today? 

Daniel Sharaiha: I think the world needs you and needs your leadership; the world needs your empathy and your ability to create change. The world is changing so fast, technology is changing, the way we look at work, the way we look at organizational design. I believe after COVID there was an acceleration of that change, so we need to be able to understand how the world is changing and understand our part in that change. 

Daniel's insights and experiences highlight the profound impact that empathy, leadership, and community engagement can have on creating positive change. His journey through the Executive MSc in Change Leadership program with HEC Paris Executive Education and Oxford Said Business School serves as an inspiration to all those striving to make a difference in the world.