Episode 75: The Leaders Who Leave a Legacy Never Stop Growing & Becoming Their Next-Level Self
What if one of the greatest risks for an experienced leader is relying too much on what they already know?
In a world being reshaped by AI, uncertainty and constant change, yesterday’s experience alone cannot prepare us for tomorrow’s challenges.
Extraordinary leaders never stop growing & becoming.
In this episode of the Extraordinary Leadership Podcast, Dagmara sits down with Ahmed Al Mahmood, a strategic advisor and certified excellence assessor with nearly two decades of experience across strategy, performance transformation and government excellence in the UAE.
Ahmed shares the philosophy that has shaped his own leadership journey — from pursuing new skills long before his title required them, to seeking mentors, embracing change, confronting setbacks and continuously questioning what he still needs to learn.
Together, Dagmara and Ahmed explore:
• Why leading yourself always precedes leading others
• Why what made you successful in the past can limit your next level
• How curiosity helps close the gap between what you know and what you don’t yet know
• Why good planning multiplies your choices, not your certainty
• What separates leaders with followers from leaders with a title
• Why setbacks can reveal what you need to develop next
• Why no one succeeds alone — and why senior leaders need advisors
• How AI is reshaping the skills leaders need next
• Why humility and continuous improvement are essential to extraordinary leadership
• The legacy question: what does it mean for your leadership to live on through the generations you influence?
One of Ahmed’s most powerful reminders is:
“Every day is a new chessboard.”
The pieces have moved. The environment has changed. And the thinking that created yesterday’s success may not create tomorrow’s.
Perhaps one of the greatest advantages a leader can cultivate today is not knowing more than everyone else.
It is the ability to keep growing & becoming.
🎙️ Listen to the full conversation and ask yourself:
Where is your next level asking you to grow?
About Ahmed Al Mahmood
Ahmed Al Mahmood – Strategic Advisor & Excellence Assessor Ahmed Al Mahmood is a strategic advisor and institutional excellence expert at the Sharjah Finance Department, Government of Sharjah, with nearly two decades of experience across strategy, performance transformation, governance, and quality excellence in the UAE. He has led strategic initiatives for organisations including the Sharjah Department of Economic Development, Sharjah Advisory Council, and Rubu' Qarn Foundation, and serves on committees focused on future-oriented government practices. He is also a certified assessor for several UAE excellence awards, including the Dubai Quality Award and Sharjah Excellence Award.
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About Dagmara Asbreuk:
A certified Executive Transformational Partner and keynote speaker, and Founder of Extraordinary Leadership. She brings 15+ years of global experience in Fortune 500 organizations and 10 years in leadership transformation. Recognized as one of Dubai's Top 15 Coaches, she is known for activating higher potential in senior executives and leadership teams through a unique blend of neuroscience and quantum consciousness.
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🔗 Ready to elevate your leadership from the inside out? Join the 8-week Transformational Program — next cohort starts 25th June. https://www.theextraordinaryleadership.com/THE-ELEVATED-LEADER
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🔁 Share this episode with at least one leader who would benefit from these insights. 💬 And let me know in the comments: What is your biggest takeaway from today's episode?
Chapters
00:00 – What Makes Extraordinary Leadership?
03:00 – How Ahmed Began His Leadership Journey
05:58 – The Skills Every Leader Must Master
08:22 – Vision, Curiosity & the Power of Mentorship
12:40 – From Leadership to Strategic Thinking
18:31 – Turning Setbacks Into Leadership Lessons
27:11 – Why Leaders Must Adapt Every Day
33:55 – The Power of Servant Leadership 39:01 – Strategic Planning for Uncertainty
45:38 – The Foundations of Excellence
50:00 – AI, Advisors & the Future of Leadership
58:24 – Leadership, Legacy & Continuous Learning
#LeadershipIdentity #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveLeadership #TransformationalLeadership #ConsciousLeadership #LeadershipCoaching #SelfLeadership #DagmaraAsbreuk