Dima Ghawi
Bio
Dima is an award-winning author and a three-time TEDx Speaker. Through keynote speeches, workshops, training programs, and executive coaching, she has honed a keen expertise in developing leaders to meet the demands of the global workforce.
Stories (105)
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Manager–Employee Working Agreement: A Collaborative Success Template
In any organization, the strength of leadership and the success of teams hinge on one fundamental pillar: trust. Trust is built through clear communication, mutual respect, and aligned expectations. Yet, too often, misunderstandings arise simply because what each person expects remains unspoken or unclear. That’s why this customizable Manager-Employee Agreement Template exists — to bridge that gap, to foster clarity and trust, and to build an empowering partnership that drives accountability and growth.
By Dima Ghawi6 months ago in Journal
Say Yes, Stay Curious, and Other Truths from Remarkable Leaders
As a leadership consultant, I am often surrounded by ever-flowing fonts of innovation—otherwise known as the phenomenal leaders I am fortunate enough to work with. Such leaders reflect their organization’s core values that we might all aspire to embody, from humility to hard work to investment in themselves and their team! This blog will explore five of the top pieces of advice I received during a rich conversation with these incredible movers and shakers.
By Dima Ghawi6 months ago in Journal
"Did They Really Just Say That?”: Turning Awkward Moments into Growth
When someone makes an off-putting remark to us, what should our immediate reaction be? To promptly assume this individual was deliberately being cruel and respond in turn? Or should we instead prioritize kindness and curiosity as we engage with them?
By Dima Ghawi6 months ago in Journal
Voices Unmuted: Small Steps, Big Change For Building a Culture of Respect
If someone told me that two common interpersonal instances of gender bias in the workplace are 1) the assumption that women hold lower positions and thus should perform "soft work" and 2) that women are frequently interrupted and not spoken to directly, my reaction would be incredulous. How are these issues still happening? They feel straight out of the past.
By Dima Ghawi6 months ago in Journal
The Silent Battle of Leaders: How to Rise Above Self-Doubt
Few experiences are more universal than self-doubt! For better and for worse, we all go through moments where we question—well, everything, from our inherent worth to our capacity to lead. And when senior leaders experience self-doubt, the resulting anxiety and hesitation can impact their decision-making, team dynamics, and long-term leadership effectiveness. So what do we do? What steps can we take to better recognize how successful leaders do not pursue perfection but in fact aim for adaptability, learning, and impact?
By Dima Ghawi6 months ago in Journal
Are You Ready to Shatter the Vases Holding Your Business Back?
Every organization has vases—unspoken rules, rigid traditions, and outdated leadership practices that were once useful but now hold us back. These vases shape how we lead, how our employees show up, and how our organizations function. We protect them because they feel familiar, because breaking them feels risky. But the greatest leaders—the ones who drive real transformation—are those who recognize when a vase no longer serves them and have the courage to shatter it.
By Dima Ghawi6 months ago in Journal
The 80% Rule: Why Done Well is Better than Done Only by You
Delegating can feel risky, especially when you’re short-staffed and already feeling stretched thin. Many leaders worry about loss of control, mistakes, or overburdening their team. However, failing to delegate can lead to burnout, decreased efficiency, and missed opportunities for team growth.
By Dima Ghawi6 months ago in Journal
Breaking the Vase: Giving Employees the Courage to Break Free from Conformity
Employees are handed invisible vases—rules of conformity, unspoken expectations, and cultural norms that dictate how they should behave, think, and lead. They are taught to blend in and avoid disrupting the status quo. But organizations don’t thrive when employees conform—they thrive when employees have the courage to challenge, innovate, and lead.
By Dima Ghawi6 months ago in Journal
Great Leaders Empower Others to Break Their Vases
Every person has a vase. Every employee in our organizations is holding onto one right now. For some, it’s fear of failure that keeps them from stepping into leadership. For others, it’s self-doubt that convinces them their ideas aren’t worth sharing. Some are weighed down by past mistakes, afraid to take another risk. And many feel trapped by unspoken rules—the belief that they must stay silent, conform, or fit into a mold that doesn’t allow them to fully thrive.
By Dima Ghawi6 months ago in Journal
The Leader’s Imperative: Breaking Vases to Build the Future
For most of our lives, we are taught to protect the vase. In my story, it is more than just a fragile object—it is a symbol of compliance, a metaphor for the unspoken rules that dictate how things should be done. Do not question. Do not disrupt. Do not break the vase.
By Dima Ghawi6 months ago in Motivation
Eight Tips for Delivering Executive Presentations
Anyone here ever struggled to convince someone of something you knew was crucial for them to understand? If so, you aren’t the only one, and this circumstance is especially frightening to encounter in the workplace—particularly those moments when we need to secure executive buy-in.
By Dima Ghawi10 months ago in Journal
10 Ways You Can Build a Strategic Mindset
Even if you’re not the CEO or setting the company’s official strategy, you can still think and act strategically in your role. A strategic mindset allows leaders to anticipate challenges, find opportunities, and make smarter decisions—ultimately increasing their influence and value.
By Dima Ghawi10 months ago in Journal
