In a revealing account of leadership philosophy, Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum demonstrated exceptional management approach when confronted with a pre-launch error in the emirate’s transport infrastructure. The incident, recounted by Mattar Al Tayer, Director General of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), occurred just days before the 2014 inauguration of the Dubai Tram system.
During final inspections on August 9, 2014, Al Tayer identified a significant design flaw in the tram configuration—the women and children’s carriage had been positioned in the middle rather than at the end of the train. This discovery came simultaneously with the announcement that Sheikh Mohammed would personally inspect the project within forty-eight hours.
Rather than concealing the error, Al Tayer immediately notified the royal leader, transparently acknowledging the mistake discovered during trial phases. Sheikh Mohammed’s response exemplified transformative leadership: instead of criticism or reprimand, he reframed the incident as a learning opportunity. His instruction, “You did not make a mistake. You learned. Don’t say we made a mistake—say we learned,” fundamentally shifted the organizational perspective on error management.
The practical solution involved relocating the designated carriage to its proper position at the tram’s end, while the philosophical approach established a culture where accountability and continuous improvement superseded blame. This leadership model turned a potential embarrassment into an institutional lesson in operational problem-solving and responsible governance.
The Dubai Tram commenced official operations on November 11, 2014, creating vital transportation links between Dubai Metro, the Palm Monorail, and key areas along Al Sufouh Road and Jumeirah Beach Road. Beyond its physical infrastructure, the project carries this embedded lesson in leadership excellence that continues to define Dubai’s approach to major development initiatives.
