You need to be ready to dig into your mind and emotions and uncover hidden layers. In our daily lives, we often dismiss or postpone facing our insecurities, but to get the most from this programme, you have to be willing to confront them and be truly honest with yourself.
Shaping one of Saudi Arabia’s most ambitious urban development projects, Lili Abou Hamad is reimagining how history and modern life coexist. As part of the Master Planning team at Diriyah Company in Riyadh, she contributes to the transformation of Diriyah, a landmark development centred around At-Turaif, the UNESCO World Heritage Site recognised as the birthplace of the Kingdom.
Lili’s path into urban development began with a degree in agricultural engineering and a master’s in landscape architecture in France, followed by a master’s in urban design and city planning at UCL. Today, she works across the full life cycle of development and across master plans, collaborating closely with a multidisciplinary team of more than a hundred specialists across development, asset management, urban planning and design, security strategy and design, digital design and delivery, environment, smart city and sustainability.
“I believe in the power of collaboration, and I wanted to learn how to lead inclusively so that everyone feels engaged and motivated to contribute." Working with such a diverse team of stakeholders across strategic-level projects, she was drawn to the INSEAD Collaborative Leadership programme to strengthen her ability to ensure that all voices are heard and valued. “I believe in inclusive, bottom-up leadership and making sure no stakeholder feels left out or demotivated." she added.
Reflecting on her experience, Lili described the programme as “life- transforming.”
“In my role, I contribute by developing governance and processes that strengthen collaboration and ensure consistent implementation across teams.” she explained. Guided by passionate professors and INSEAD executive coaches, the balance of theory and practice reinforced her belief that true collaboration requires structure as much as intention — combining clear systems with empathy and openness to others’ perspectives.
Lili highlighted the ‘Immunity to Change’ framework as a particularly eye-opening part of the programme. She described it as a deep and challenging exploration of her mind and emotions, which helped her uncover core fears and behavioural patterns. Post-programme, Lili engaged in further personal coaching sessions to ensure her progress— sharing of a particular session where she had deep dived into her personal development using the ‘enneagram’ framework and arrived at the same insights that she received on the Collaborative Leadership programme. “It was incredibly valuable to see how two different approaches led to the same insights, and to receive feedback on how I showed up in group dynamics,” she explained, emphasising how these experiences strengthened her self-awareness and ability to collaborate effectively in diverse teams.
At the diverse fabric of INSEAD, drawing on the collective wisdom of the group particularly in discussions brings many revelations. One standout exercise during the programme involved a fictional story where the participants were tasked to rank responsibilities based on values and beliefs rather than data. Smiling wryly, Lili admitted that her group struggled to reach consensus, revealing how deeply personal experiences can shape decision-making. "I noticed how differently each of us thinks, based on our backgrounds and experiences. Every decision is complex and being open to change or other perspectives requires awareness of that," she observed.
“I usually try hard to convince colleagues of my ideas, but I learned how to move from advocacy to joint problem solving. Sometimes it’s not about your solution or mine — it’s about finding a third solution that satisfies everyone,” she explained. It was a hard lesson, but one that reinforced the importance of listening deeply, being open to other perspectives, and recognising that consensus takes time and effort — lessons she finds highly relevant in her own work.
I’ve become more empathetic, less confrontational, and a better listener. My goal was to let go of things I cannot control, and this programme gave me the tools to do that.
Since returning to work, Lili has been able to apply the lessons from the programme directly. “I set a development goal linked to the frameworks, and I started applying it the first week I returned,” she explained. She began journaling and self-observing, reflecting on moments in meetings that triggered reactions, and exploring why she felt bothered. “The programme’s balance of theory and practice made it very practical,” she added. Exercises such as writing down workplace challenges and brainstorming solutions with peers allowed her to relate concepts directly to real situations.
Collaborative Leadership marked a milestone in her self-awareness and personal development journey. “I’ve learned that every challenge is an opportunity to grow and become a better version of myself,” she said. She emphasised the importance of day-to-day self-observation, empathy, and understanding the perspectives of others, even those she may not naturally get along with. “Life is too short, and no one takes anything with them. My focus now is on being present, leaving a positive impact, and continually becoming a better version of myself,” Lili reflected.
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