The Middle East.
What comes to mind when you hear about this region of the world? Unrest, war, poverty, extremists, terrorists, oil, Iraq, Saddam Hussein, Osama Bin Laden? The reality is that many of us who have never been to the Middle East form opinions and assumptions based on what we see on television, read in print media, hear from our neighbors and co-workers, and conjure up in our own minds. I will be the first to admit that I've done it many times.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
What comes to mind when you hear the name of this city? Do you think that it must be similar to Iraq, Beirut or Pakistan simply because it's in the Middle East? In truth, Dubai is one of the most vibrant cities in the world right now, bar none. How do I know? I've just spent seven days there for business and pleasure. Yes, a brother from another is exploring potential business opportunities on the other side of the world.
I arrived in Dubai with my own worldview, excluding anything that was not in alignment with my American mindset. You know the story...typical spoiled American, know-it-all, expecting to see soldiers on street corners with machine guns positioned in the cradle of their arms, ready to take down anyone who gets out of line. Yes, I excluded from my worldview the possibility that the residents of Dubai would be sophisticated, refined people. Boy was I wrong! Dubai is an incredible multicultural melting pot, consisting of Emiratees as well as people from India, Hong Kong, The Philippines, Australia and the United Kingdom, just to name a few.
Dubai is in the midst of a twenty-first century renaissance. An astounding one-fifth of the world's cranes are in Dubai right now. I saw them with my own eyes. There are skyscrapers going up everywhere. They are building a HealthCare City that will include the likes of The Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic and Harvard Medical School. (Currently, many people needing special medical attention must travel to the United States. In the future, these people will be able to travel to Dubai, less than half the distance, to get help.) Dubai is also building the equivalent of Las Vegas luxury hotels (without the casinos) and Walt Disney World combined. They are calling it Dubailand, and when it's completed in 2010, it will be the largest theme park in the world.
You may be wondering, as I did, who is the brilliant mind behind all this aggressive development in Dubai. His name is Sheikh (pronounced "shake") Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. As the UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, he is often referred to as "Shake-Mo"! I didn't have a chance to meet him, so we're not on a first name basis as of yet. Many in the Middle East consider him the Walt Disney of his time. I can honestly say after seeing how he has invested $10 billion dollars of the royal family's wealth to ensure Dubai's future that anything is possible. Consider the following:
- 20,000 construction workers work three shifts a day - around the clock - to build Dubai;
- Delta Air Lines started direct service to Dubai from Atlanta, GA on June 1st;
- There are more ex-patriots living in Dubai than citizens born and raised there;
- 40,000 people per month on average are moving to Dubai.
By now, you're likely thinking this is an infomercial for Dubai. Guess what? You're right! But it's also an infomercial for an expanded worldview. I'm "selling" you on the idea of putting aside your assumptions and making room in your mind and your heart to see this hidden gem of the Middle East - and other parts of the world - in a fresh new way.
I know so many people who've never traveled outside of their state and who have a negative opinion about the Middle East, especially with the war in Iraq. I understand that. However, I also believe there are too many Americans who seclude themselves to their surroundings and exclude themselves from the richness of other cultures.
How many of you have a passport? How many of you will plan an overseas trip in your lifetime? How many of you will take advantage of work/job opportunities to travel or live overseas? I say, Release Your Brilliance and "Go for it!" You owe it to yourself to go and see the beauty of other countries and peoples for yourself. I - a brother from Buffalo, New York - am probably the last person you'd think of traveling to such faraway places. Quite honestly, I'd never been outside the United States until I started working for Disney. Since then, I've traveled to amazing places, including Brazil, France and South Africa.
Something happened to me in Dubai. It's going to take me awhile to process it, but I know that I came to a place of profound clarity while in the Middle East. I know that my soul made room to connect with other human beings from around the globe. And I know that I've become be more inclusive in my thinking instead of excluding people who don't fit my paradigm. My worldview has been expanded. I want to include in my life other human beings who don't look like me, talk like me or think like me. I want to invite them to sit at my table of learning and development.
What about you? How inclusive are you in connecting with people from other cultures and regions of the world? Look at your life right now...if everyone in your circle or sphere of influence looks like you, talks like you, thinks like you, and acts like you, then your circle is too small. Yes, that was very opinionated, and yet I believe very true!
I invite you to expand your worldview. Don't do it because you have to...do it because you want to.
Simon T. Bailey, is a former Disney Institute leader, highly sought after business speaker, consultant and author of Release Your Brilliance. For more information visit http://www.simontbailey.com/.
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Comments: 26
I recently saw an interview of Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum done by one of the major news networks...What an intelligent, articulate, energetic and hard-working man. He has goals and he is working hard to achieve them.
There is an internet link that gives you a 360 degree tour of Dubai from the top of their most famous high rise - quite impressive.
I think you've come across the most vibrant, thriving commercial spot on earth right now.
Good luck with your endeavors and be sure to keep us posted.
Susan
I'm guessing most Americans, if given a blank map, could not fill in the countries accurately.
Over here, there is a different view, of course, since these countries, along with India, Pakistan, etc are close enough to be called neighbors.
People tend to be better informed about their "neighbors."
The Book Review
My husband has traveled to Japan three times and every time he comes back with a deeper spirituality. I think everyone has a place somewhere in this magnificent world that is meant for them to be so they can experience an awakening.
I dream of going to Ireland. I know I am supposed to go there one day and fully expect that my life will become even more brilliant as a result of that trip.
We still have friends in the UAE.
Jessie, you will have an awesome time. Trish, WOW...thanks for sharing. I am sure those students are still reflecting on what you and your husband modeled for them.
Bruce, thanks for your perspective. I respect your feedback and appreciate you sending me the 60 minutes story. I was already familiar with it but thank you for reminding me about it.
Susan* glad to hear that you like the article. Debbie G, glad you like it. What type of horse is that? Thanks Joel and Sheila. Ishbel, what was your experience when you lived in Dubai?
We made friends with a number of locals - in fact we have an open invitation to go back for a holiday any time we want.
Simon, I want an encore soon OK.
It was heartening to see a place where the leader can walk around and joke with people. I believe that is fairly rare the world over.
It was the reputed way Hewlett and Packard ran the company with their name. The employee I knew was pleased to work for a company like that.
Crime happens when people try to exploit others--no country is free from having to deal with that. The most humane way to deal with it is to restrain the exploiters from opportunity to exploit. Most governments struggle with this.
Having resources would certainly allow innovative ways to discover constructive ability in persons who may not have believed that of themselves.
Perhaps you could get Shake-Mo to consider writing a book for us. It is incredibly difficult to get that much cooperation, no matter how much wealth there is. People will do incredible things for leaders they like, who set good examples, who know how to laugh, how to give credit where it is due, and how to care for, correct, and accept feedback from those in their sphere.
I would enjoy having tea with Shake-Mo and his family. He must sit down once in a while.
Thanks for this report, Simon.
Susan, when are you going to Dubai? Are you planning your trip? It should be awesome.
Michelle, glad to know that you enjoyed it. Patrick, thanks for pressure. I am currently in Jamaica so who knows.
Mary, Thanks for your feedback.