# UAE Leader Celebrates Emotional Mentorship Moment Between Manager and Employee Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid highlights the positive workplace culture fostering young talent in UAE. - **Source:** [Emarat Al Youm](https://www.emaratalyoum.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [careers](https://brifing.si/c/careers) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/f568259b-2948-4fb8-80c2-ed5d3110f780 ## Public Recognition of Mentorship Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum recently celebrated a spontaneous moment of pride between a manager and her employee. The interaction occurred during the Mohammed bin Rashid Government Excellence Award ceremony. The leader shared a video of Nawal Al-Henai celebrating Abdullah Al-Hammadi’s win, praising their positive energy and professional bond. ## Deep Professional Connection During the awards, Al-Henai referred to Al-Hammadi as her son, to which he responded by calling her his second mother. This exchange highlighted the deep human connection within the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. Both individuals emphasized that their relationship transcends traditional administrative boundaries, fostering a supportive and family-like environment. ## Impact on Employee Motivation Abdullah Al-Hammadi, a future energy engineer, stated that the recognition significantly increased his sense of responsibility. He noted that Al-Henai has been his primary supporter since he joined the ministry in February 2024. Her mentorship includes actively identifying development opportunities and encouraging him to expand his skills beyond his academic background. ## Managerial Philosophy and Legacy Nawal Al-Henai believes that treating employees like family is an essential duty for all leaders. Inspired by the values of the late Sheikh Zayed, she views her team as her second family. She emphasized that fostering tolerance, respect, and support is a core component of the UAE's professional and social fabric. ## Technical and Leadership Growth Al-Hammadi, a 27-year-old nuclear engineering graduate, has excelled in integrating artificial intelligence into ministry operations. He developed an agentic AI assistant to streamline team tasks and performance analytics. His manager highlighted his versatility, noting his successful leadership of the UAE youth delegation at BRICS meetings in Brazil despite his junior status. ## Strategic Role Evolution Al-Hammadi successfully advocated for changing his job title from sustainability engineer to future energy engineer. This change better reflects his contributions to national strategies, including the 2050 Energy and Hydrogen strategies. His proactive approach demonstrates how young professionals can shape their roles to align with the nation's critical infrastructure and energy goals. ## Leadership Through Positive Influence Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s public endorsement serves as a validation of Al-Henai’s leadership style. She views his praise as an additional honor, reinforcing her commitment to building future leaders. By prioritizing the development of young talent, she aims to ensure that the next generation is prepared to lead vital national sectors. ## Cultural Significance of Recognition This event underscores the importance of emotional intelligence in the UAE government sector. By celebrating the human side of professional success, the leadership reinforces a culture where mentorship and mutual respect are highly valued. Such recognition serves as a powerful motivator for young professionals to strive for excellence in their careers. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.emaratalyoum.com/local-section/other/2026-11-07-1.2100148 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._