Here are just some of his life lessons…

It’s a well-documented fact that HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, has a way with words.

And now according to Burston-Marseller’s Twiplomacy, the account dedicated to twitter stats on government entities, Dubai’s ruler has become the 10th most followed leader on Twitter. His current follower count sits at an impressive 8,430,133 people. 

The most followed leader is American President Donald Trump with a staggering 39.7 million followers. At number two is Pope Francis with 39 million followers, and number three is India’s PM Modi with 34 million followers. You can see the full list here.

It’s no surprise that Sheikh Mohammed has made it into the top rankings. Whether he’s delivering an impassioned speech or penning a poem, the leader is known for speaking openly on a variety of issues, both overseas and close to home.

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In a recent open letter shared to LinkedIn, Sheikh Mohammed said he is often asked about the UAE’s leadership journey and development path – and every now and then, he likes to share some things he’s learned along the way.

So what are Sheikh Mohammed’s most valuable life lessons?

“Life has taught me that change is constant; it is also our best teacher,” the ruler began.

“As the earth changes its seasons, the sky its stars, and the sun and moon move through the horizon, so our life also evolves endlessly.

“The world waits for no one – those who do not learn and evolve can stumble and often fall. Nations, like people, need change to grow and develop. Some governments live in the past, many struggle with the present – a few are building the future.”

Sheikh Mohammed said life has taught him that a successful government “spends less time playing politics, devising complex strategies and spreading positive stories, and far more investing in the human being.”

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“The ultimate success of a nation relies on how government empowers its citizens. The wisdom, success and vision of the government should only be measured, and judged, by its people – a nation’s enduring asset is its citizens.”

A post shared by Khalifa Saeed (@khalifasaeed) on

The leader also had something to say about competition, and how it drives him.

He said: “I never fear competition because competition strengthens, motivates and humbles you. By being humble in times of triumph and success, a leader provides a glowing example to everyone, just like the UAE’s late father and founder Sheikh Zayed.

“This powerful leader spoke gently and listened carefully. He taught me that all people and nations are under God and all wealth is God’s blessing.

“We should treat all people equally, and open our doors willingly to all who seek opportunity.”

As always – bravo, Sheikh Mohammed. You can read his full post on LinkedIn here.

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