Oscar Orrelana Hyder, on a mission to attract top global talent and drive investment success across the UAE.

‍

Looking back on my journey, I wish someone had told me early on about the importance of delegation and detachment in leadership. It’s tough letting go of your “baby” once you’ve nurtured it, but it’s absolutely key to growth. If I’d known how much it would allow the business to evolve, I’d have embraced it sooner.

‍

One of the biggest challenges has been building credibility with a brand that no one yet knows. Coming from a big corporate background, I was used to the gravitas that a well-known name on a business card brings. But starting out, you realise you’re no longer shielded by that.

‍

The solution? Outperform. Offer better service, stay more agile, be more flexible than the big corporates. Over time, your name and your quality become your brand.

‍

One unexpected lesson I’ve learned is the camaraderie that exists between peers in the industry. There’s a shared sense of, “We’re all in this together.” If we can help or support each other, we do. It’s been a revelation to experience that sense of community rather than the competition I expected.

In 2023, I was lucky enough to spend time with former South African rugby captain John Smit, someone I looked up to long before I started a business. He taught me invaluable lessons on resilience, perseverance, and how to turn adversity into success. His calm, considerate approach changed my perspective on leadership.

‍

For anyone starting out, my advice would be: build faster, but only after you’ve laid the right foundation. There’s a lot to be said for “hire fast and fire fast,” but that only works if you’ve got the basics covered.

‍

And my final takeaway? Embrace unpredictability.

‍

This generation is moving at an incredible pace, and 80% of the jobs that kids in high school will apply for in the future don’t even exist yet. If you can adapt, think on your feet, and take that first leap, you’ll find a path forward—one way or another.

‍