18-hour days, 1 week off: Sheikh Mohamed's relentless commitment to nation and people

Time of India

20-07-2025

Sheikh Mohamed shares a heartfelt moment with UAE students, embodying leadership through connection/ Image : WAM
TL;DR
Sheikh Mohamed puts in long hours, yet still makes time for personal moments with everyday people.
His
leadership style
is rooted in presence, not performance.
Each meeting, whether with students or workers, shows consistency, humility, and care.
Some leaders lead from a distance. Others choose to stay close. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, is clearly the second kind. His schedule is full, meetings, official visits, national responsibilities, but somehow, he keeps making space for people.
Not in grand ceremonies, but in small, real ways. He's seen walking the streets of Abu Dhabi without bodyguards. Hugging athletes at local events. Sitting with nuclear plant workers. Or quietly thanking foster mothers for doing what matters most.
None of this is by accident. It's a pattern. One that's become central to how he leads. Presence, humility, and human connection are not occasional, they're consistent. And over time, this steady, quiet approach has reshaped how people across the UAE view their leadership: not as distant authority, but as someone who listens and never forgets who he's leading.
Here are just a few moments that show why Sheikh Mohamed is often called the people's leader, quiet, consistent, and deeply committed to the nation and its people.
1. Top Students Met a President And Felt Like They Met a Father
Just hours after final exam results were announced, a group of top students in the UAE found themselves in a room with Sheikh Mohamed. But it didn't feel like a formal event. It felt personal. The student felt like they were meeting a father, not a head of state
There were no long speeches.
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He didn't just shake hands and leave. He took time to listen. To talk to them like someone who understands how hard they worked. He made them feel proud, but also reminded them to stay grounded. The message was simple: your effort matters, and you matter.
2. A Hug at a Sports Festival Not Just for the Cameras
At the Abu Dhabi Summer Sports Festival, Sheikh Mohamed didn't show up as a guest of honor. He showed up as a supporter. He walked through the event like anyone else, greeting athletes, coaches, and even visitors in the crowd.
There were hugs, smiles, and quiet conversations.
It didn't feel planned or polished. That's what made it real. He didn't need to give a speech to show encouragement. Just showing up was enough and that's what people remember. A leader who looks you in the eye, not from a stage, but from the sidelines.
3. No Guards, No Motorcade, Just a Walk in the City
A video recently went viral online. In it, Sheikh Mohamed is walking down a street in Abu Dhabi, no security, no blocked roads, no special treatment.
Just him, talking with a few people like any other resident.
In most countries, this wouldn't happen. Leaders are usually behind barriers, surrounded by layers of protocol. But here, it sends a different message. That trust goes both ways and that safety isn't just about fences or guards. It's about a sense of belonging. It's about knowing your leader walks the same streets you do.
4. At a Power Plant, a Quiet Thank You to Workers
When the UAE marked the completion of Unit 3 at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, most expected the usual formalities.
But the most meaningful moment wasn't part of the ceremony. It was a quick, unscripted chat between Sheikh Mohamed and a small group of workers.
They were standing casually, in a loose circle. Talking, laughing, thanking each other. No media glare, no big headlines. Just recognition, the kind that sticks. These workers are the backbone of major national projects, and Sheikh Mohamed made sure they knew he saw them, not just the results.
5. Recognizing Foster Mothers for What Truly Counts
There are many ways to lead. One of them is by showing gratitude to those doing quiet, important work. That's what happened when Sheikh Mohamed met with a group of foster mothers caring for children without families.
He didn't rush through the meeting. He shook hands. He listened. He thanked each one for giving kids a stable, loving home. There was no ceremony, just sincerity. And for the mothers, that meant more than any award.
It was a rare kind of leadership: one that honors care, compassion, and the invisible strength holding communities together.
FAQs
Q1. Why does Sheikh Mohamed keep making these personal visits?
Because he believes real leadership happens on the ground. These aren't just appearances, they're a way of staying connected to the people and their everyday lives.
Q2. Are these visits planned for publicity?
Not really. Many of them aren't announced ahead of time, and often go unnoticed until someone shares a moment online. They seem to come from a place of genuine intention, not public image.
Q3. What do people feel after meeting him?
Most describe it as surprising and deeply moving. It makes them feel seen. And it reminds them that their leader isn't far away, he's right here with them.