#354: Hard Truths on Real Leadership: Naoum Barakat on Culture, Accountability & Cutting Through the Noise
In this episode, we sit down with Naoum Barakat, a transformative leader in HR strategy and talent development across the UAE and beyond. With decades of experience shaping people and culture in some of the region’s most influential organisations, Naoum brings deep insight into what truly makes a great leader. From the boardroom to the locker room, we unpack leadership through surprising lenses whether it’s Roy Keane’s intensity, Steve Jobs’ paradox of honesty and empathy, or the misunderstood difference between coaching and mentoring. Naoum doesn’t shy away from hard truths: he challenges outdated promotion tactics, questions the rise of “wellbeing theatre,” and reminds us all that you own your growth, not your boss, not your company. If you're leading a team, building a culture, or navigating your own development journey, this conversation will reshape how you think about leadership, empathy and performance in today’s workplace. 3:08 – Why do companies want to promote but not train? 5:00 – What some companies miss out on when promoting Leaders 9:15 – What Questions should you be asking to ensure your promotion is set up for success 11:39 – Leadership is NOT a one size fits all 15:16 – Empathy without honesty is just sugar-coating 20:50 – How do we teach desire as leaders 24:50 – What is the difference between mentoring and coaching 33:18 – How can you bond and lead teams from different cultures 38:00 – Where does health and wellness fit into a business 44:44 – What you can do to have a company thriving culture and workplace wellbeing 53:40 – What impact does a pay rise have on increasing performance 1:04:30 – Project Naoum was most proud of with Mars Show Sponsors: AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences. https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers Allsopp & Allsopp: Redefining real estate, through cutting-edge technology and setting new standards for seamless, elevated customer experience. Keep moving with Allsopp & Allsopp. https://bit.ly/Allsopp-and-Allsopp Socials: Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/ https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/ Follow Naoum Barakat on Social Media https://www.linkedin.com/in/naoum-barakat-a1038122/