Diversity and Inclusion in the Middle East

Building Inclusive Leaders for Better Business Results

As the competition intensifies across the Middle East, organizations are realizing the immense value that Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) brings to business growth. The question, however, is how can businesses create truly inclusive environments that lead to tangible, positive outcomes?

In our latest edition, we dive into the compelling business case for D&I in the Middle East, offering insights into why it’s more than just a buzzword—it’s a strategic driver of success.

Diversity focuses on ensuring representation of varied groups within a company, but inclusion goes a step further by fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered. Take Saudi Arabia, for example: the participation of women in the workforce has surged from 19% in 2016 to almost 36% by 2022. This growth is already contributing to the economy, with projections that it could add $39 billion to the country’s GDP by 2032, according to S&P Global Ratings. These numbers highlight the critical role inclusive practices play in unleashing untapped potential and sustaining economic success.

Across the region, D&I initiatives are transforming economies. From the UAE’s Gender Balance Council to Bahrain’s strides in integrating diverse talent into its financial services sector, we see that inclusive practices foster more innovative, resilient, and future-ready organizations.

As a leader in your organization, cultivating inclusion can deliver key benefits such as:

• Increased Employee Engagement and Productivity: When employees feel included, they are more engaged, motivated, and loyal—driving greater productivity and innovation.
• Lower Turnover and Less Conflict: A culture of inclusion encourages mutual respect and reduces workplace conflicts, leading to lower turnover rates.
• Enhanced Reputation: Companies known for their commitment to inclusion build stronger reputations, which can open doors to new business opportunities and valuable partnerships.

As Dr May Jabri Senior Consulting Partner at FranklinCovey Middle East and co-author of the Arabic edition of Everyone Deserves a Great Manager, explains:

"Many organizations are building diverse teams, but diversity alone isn’t enough. While workplaces may become more diverse, employees' experiences aren’t always inclusive."

Despite the advances in diversity across the Middle East, are these efforts truly creating inclusive cultures? And how can your organization develop inclusive leaders to drive better business outcomes?

Download our latest whitepaper to explore these questions and learn how you can build a more inclusive organization that thrives in today’s ever-evolving business landscape .

Inclusive Leadership: Practical Ways to Cultivate Inclusion & Build a Better Team? shows leaders that leading inclusively isn’t about doing more. It’s a way to prioritize inclusion in daily behaviors to disrupt bias and create an environment where everyone feels valued and sees an opportunity to thrive. For more information email us at [email protected]