chatGRG

chatGRG

chatGRG explores how careers are built, shaped, and evolved in an AI-driven world. In a region where opportunity moves fast, careers are rarely linear. Being skilled is not enough. How you position yourself, how you show up, and how your experience translates into opportunity matter. chatGRG brings together leaders, founders, hiring managers, and regional influencers to share honest perspectives on building careers in the Gulf. We speak openly about getting hired, navigating multiple career moves, and understanding how decisions are made behind closed doors. Across these conversations, we also explore how personal brand and career visibility influence hiring outcomes, progression, and long-term credibility, especially in a market where reputation travels quickly. Produced through GRG, the region’s largest independently owned recruitment firm, the discussions are shaped by real access to senior hiring environments and market insight. This is not theory or motivation. It is experience-led discussion on careers, visibility, hiring dynamics, and what it takes to build long-term momentum. If you are building yourself or navigating your next move, this is the insight most people only gain after years in the market.

  1. Why Most Leaders Fail at Execution (Not Strategy) | Adil Paracha, Head of Foods at Almarai

    2D AGO

    Why Most Leaders Fail at Execution (Not Strategy) | Adil Paracha, Head of Foods at Almarai

    Most people think leadership is about having the right strategy. Adil Paracha sees it differently. For him, it’s much simpler and much harder than that. If nothing gets delivered, nothing else matters. In this episode of Above C-Level, Adil Paracha sits down with host Mohammad Osama to share what leadership means beyond the job title. This isn’t their first conversation. Over 20 years ago, Osama started his career as Adil’s intern. Today, that story has come full circle, with Adil’s son now interning at GRG. It’s a dynamic that adds a different layer to the conversation, one built on years of growth, perspective, and shared experience. From being the youngest in a family of high achievers to navigating global roles across FMCG, aesthetics, and now food, Adil opens up about the pressure to prove yourself and the standards that never switch off. He talks about: ↳ Growing up in a family where titles meant nothing without real achievement ↳ The sense of urgency that shaped his leadership style early on ↳ The playbook he uses in every role to turn businesses around ↳ Why most leaders focus on the wrong KPIs and pay for it later ↳ Hiring for hunger, not experience, and the risks that come with it ↳ The difference between leaders who look good on paper and those who deliver There’s a difference between building something that looks successful, and something that actually works. And most people don’t realise which one they’re part of until it’s too late. Catch the must-listen episode now! Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: The Sandals Incident - Learning Corporate Rules the Hard Way 00:02:59 The Sense of Urgency: Where Drive and Impatience Come From 00:09:09 The Success Playbook: Structure, People, Strategy, and Processes 00:15:17 Why Most Leaders Fail: The Lead KPI vs Lag KPI Problem 00:19:34 Strategy vs People: Which Matters More for Business Success 00:20:46 Hiring for Hunger Over Experience: The Energy and Attitude Test 00:24:23 Red Flags in Interviews: What Gets You Rejected 00:27:17 The Gen Z Reality: Purpose, Flexibility, and Higher Order Needs 00:28:55 Work From Home vs Office: Finding the Balance That Works 00:31:16 Succession Planning: How to Identify and Develop Future Leaders Listen on: Spotify: Apple:  Connect with Adil:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adilparacha/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adilparacha/  Follow Our Host: Mohammad Osama: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohammad-osama-8395b88/

    34 min
  2. Taleen Marie on Real Housewives, Signing to Jamie Foxx, and Building Her Career in Dubai

    APR 15

    Taleen Marie on Real Housewives, Signing to Jamie Foxx, and Building Her Career in Dubai

    Taleen Marie was “big” in LA. Signed to Jamie Foxx’s label, performing, and living the life most people dream about. A professional singer who opened for Christina Aguilera and even performed for Pope John Paul II, her career was already on a global stage. Then she moved to Dubai… and everything changed. No industry, familiarity, or even version of herself that fit anymore. Little did she know, this was only the beginning. Behind the Real Housewives of Dubai spotlight, there’s a very different story. In this episode of The Brand of YOU, Taleen sits down with host and good friend Robyn Abou Chedid for a deeply personal conversation about identity, reinvention, and what it really takes to start again. From leaving behind her life in LA, to building something new in Dubai, all while navigating motherhood and career, Taleen shares what it truly looks like to evolve in real time, both on and off camera. Taleen opens up about: ↳ Moving from LA to Dubai and the identity shift that came with it ↳ The reality of miscarriage, fertility struggles, and silent pressure ↳ Motherhood, postpartum depression, and discovering a new version of herself ↳ Why she chose authenticity over “playing a role” on Real Housewives ↳ The pressure to build something after fame and why she resisted it ↳ Finding purpose again through fitness, wellness, and building her brand This chat is more than about reality TV. It’s about what happens when you step outside of your comfort zone, and who you become because of it. Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: From LA Singer to Dubai Housewife - The Identity Shift 00:02:54 The LA Years: Signed with Jamie Foxx and Living the Entertainment Dream 00:03:52 Moving to Dubai for Love: The Culture Shock and Career Pivot 00:05:12 The Mindset Shift: From Touring Artist to Fitness Entrepreneur 00:08:05 The Fertility Struggle: Three Miscarriages and Finding Strength 00:11:19 Postpartum Depression and Meeting Yourself as a Mother 00:14:10 Becoming a Real Housewife: The Decision That Changed Everything 00:16:44 The Art of Being Real on Camera: Performance vs Authenticity 00:28:09 Building Confidence: From Childhood Anxiety to Fake Bathroom Interviews 00:34:59 Entreprenuership: Building a Wellness Brand with Her Sister 00:36:27 Closing: Who Is Taleen Without the Labels? Listen on: Spotify:  Apple:  Connect with Taleen:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taleen_marie_/  Follow Our Host - Robyn Abou Chedid:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynabouchedid/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlnamedrobyn/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@girlnamedrobyn

    40 min
  3. Forbes 30 Under 30… My First Game Made $2.47 | Houcem Maiza, CEO of T7D Gaming

    APR 1

    Forbes 30 Under 30… My First Game Made $2.47 | Houcem Maiza, CEO of T7D Gaming

    His first game made $2.47. Not $2,470. Not $247. Just $2.47. Before Forbes 30 Under 30, before scaling across 40+ telecom operators, and before building a gaming company that actually worked, Houcem Maiza was just a 19-year-old with an idea… sitting alone in his parents’ garage after his co-founders didn’t show up. On paper, none of it made sense. No experience. No roadmap. No idea how to even build a game. Yet, in this episode of Above C-Level, Houcem Maiza, CEO of T7D Gaming, joins Mohammad Osama to share the reality of building in an industry no one teaches you how to succeed in. He speaks openly about failure, luck, timing, and the moments he almost walked away. From launching a game nobody downloaded, to one last trip to Dubai that changed his life. Houcem talks about: ↳ Building his first game with no experience and watching it fail. ↳ Making just $2.47 after months of work… and what that did to him. ↳ The dark reality of entrepreneurship that no one talks about. ↳ How one conversation in Dubai changed the direction of his company. ↳ Why luck and timing play a bigger role than most founders admit. ↳ The shift from building games to building a scalable gaming business. ↳ What the future of the gaming industry really looks like. If you’ve ever thought success was just about hard work, this episode might just change your perspective. Listen now to find out! Listen on: Spotify: Apple:  Connect with Houcem:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/houcemmaiza/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houcem.maiza/  Website: https://t7dgaming.com/  Follow Our Host: Mohammad Osama: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohammad-osama-8395b88/

    1 hr
  4. The Secret to Success Isn’t Money. It’s Helping People | Spencer Lodge, Founder of Beneple

    MAR 26

    The Secret to Success Isn’t Money. It’s Helping People | Spencer Lodge, Founder of Beneple

    The first time Spencer Lodge went live on social media, there was only one person watching. His mum… asking him why he wasn’t wearing a tie. No audience. No traction. No personal brand. Just consistency and a willingness to show up anyway. Years later, he has the businesses, the podcast, and the visibility most people chase. From the outside, it looks like success. But what stayed with him most wasn’t the numbers. It was the people. In this episode of The Brand of YOU, Spencer Lodge, Founder of Beneple and Host of Made in Dubai, sits down with Robyn Abou Chedid for one of the most honest and unexpected conversations about what success really means, and what actually matters along the way. From showing up week after week with no audience, to investing heavily into content, Spencer reflects on the journey with a very different perspective. One that has less to do with money, and far more to do with impact, connection, and how you show up for others. Spencer opens up about: ↳ Building a personal brand “by accident” and why he still questions the idea of one. ↳ Spending $30K a month on content and what it really gave him beyond ROI. ↳ Why the most powerful people he’s met are those who have overcome the hardest lives. ↳ Creating content that truly connects, through pain, truth, and real human stories. ↳ Why chasing virality, money, or followers will never give you what you think it will. ↳ The daily habit he believes could change everything This conversation isn’t about how to chase success, it’s about redefining this through kindness and the way you make others feel. A real must watch! Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: Building a Personal Brand by Accident - The Spencer Lodge Story 00:02:51 Why Would You Put Yourself Out There? The Fear Behind Content Creation 00:04:49 The 400-Video Training Course That Changed Everything 00:08:27 Living in the Moment: Why Spencer Loves True Stories Over Business Talk 00:12:36 The Podcast Pivot: From True Crime to Made in Dubai 00:19:36 I Feel Like a Failure: The Success Paradox 00:23:18 What Is Your Purpose? Finding Meaning Beyond Money and Status 00:26:58 The Two Laws That Should Exist: Volunteering and Kindness 00:33:15 Success Isn't Money: The Maria Conceição Story and What Really Matters 00:37:16 Closing: Be Kind, Hold Hands, and Make Each Other Laugh Listen on: Spotify:  Apple:  Connect with Spencer:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SpencerLodgeTV Made In Dubai Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@SpencerLodgeTV  Follow Our Host - Robyn Abou Chedid:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynabouchedid/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlnamedrobyn/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@girlnamedrobyn

    39 min
  5. Employees Don’t Hate Change. They Hate How You Lead It | Kat Kearsey - Marriott International

    MAR 11

    Employees Don’t Hate Change. They Hate How You Lead It | Kat Kearsey - Marriott International

    Change doesn’t fail because of strategy decks. It fails because of people. And more specifically, how leaders handle them. In this week’s episode of Out of Office, Kat Kearsey, Senior Director of Change Management at Marriott International, lets us in on what really happens inside large organisations when transformation is announced. The town halls. The strategy rollouts. The polished messaging. And then the resistance that follows. From change fatigue and leadership blind spots to why employees resist the way change is delivered, this is a real conversation about the human side of organisational transformation. Mark and Kat talk about: ↳ Why employees are not the problem in failed change programmes ↳ What leaders misunderstand about resistance ↳ How change fatigue builds and damages culture ↳ Why leadership behaviour determines whether transformation succeeds ↳ What organisations in fast moving markets must rethink right now If you are leading a team, navigating transformation, or wondering why your change initiatives are not landing, this episode will challenge you to look in the mirror.  Catch the must listen episode now. Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: The People Side of Transformation - What Change Management Really Means 00:01:40 The Middle East Change Paradox: Fast-Paced Growth Without Proper People Management 00:03:13 The Internal PR Problem: Why Companies Don't Invest in Change Management 00:07:57 Gen Z vs The Old Guard: Managing Change Across Generations 00:09:12 The Attraction Crisis: Why Dubai Is Hiring Like Crazy But No One's Getting Hired 00:11:09 The Retiree Solution: When Young People Won't Work in Hotels Anymore 00:12:08 AI Will Delete Your Job: The Five-Year Skills Revolution 00:16:10 The Dubai Job Market Reality: Flooded, Competitive, and Brutal 00:17:53 Red Flags and Networking: How to Actually Get Hired in the Middle East 00:19:18 Europe vs Middle East: Why This Region Embraces Change and Europe Resists It 00:22:42 Mass Redundancies and Survivor Guilt: The Right Way to Let People Go 00:24:49 The Eggshell Culture: When Fear of Change Destroys Organizations Listen on: Spotify: Apple:  Connect with Kat:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katkearsey/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katkearsey/  Follow Our Host: Mark Timms: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marktimmsgrg/

    26 min
  6. Your 9-5 Won’t Make You Rich. Only Entrepreneurship Will | Omar Gull, Founder of CLÉDOR

    FEB 26

    Your 9-5 Won’t Make You Rich. Only Entrepreneurship Will | Omar Gull, Founder of CLÉDOR

    He pitched his idea to 200 people. Most said no, some didn’t even reply, and only a few entertained the meeting and walked away. Despite this, he kept going. Before CLÉDOR, the $120M in funding, and the $250M returns, Omar Gull was climbing fast inside some of Dubai’s biggest real estate names. Promotions came quickly. The titles grew. On paper, his career looked perfect. But he knew something wasn’t right. He didn’t want to spend the next 30 years building someone else’s vision. In this episode of Above C-Level, Omar Gull, Founder of CLÉDOR, and Mohammad Osama have an honest conversation about ambition, rejection, risk, and why he hates the 9-5 mindset that kills careers more than people realise. He shares what it really felt like to hear “no” again and again, how he raised $120M in under two months, and how one handshake changed everything. He explains why hard work is not optional, why credibility matters more than charisma, and why he believes knowledge today is fully democratised. Omar speaks about: ↳ Leaving a high-growth corporate career to bet on himself. ↳ Pitching to investors and refusing to take rejection personally. ↳ Building a development-as-a-service model in a saturated Dubai market. ↳ His controversial stance on 9–5 culture and work-life balance. ↳ What he looks for when hiring sales leaders and the red flags he spots instantly. ↳ Whether Dubai’s real estate boom can really continue. If you have ever thought about creating and leading something of your own, this episode is one you don’t want to miss! Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: Dubai's Dream Career That Wasn't Enough 00:00:32 The Dubai Real Estate Phenomenon: 120 Billion in Off-Plan Sales 00:04:21 Why Hard Work Corrupted Me: The Job That Kept Promoting 00:06:10 The 9-to-5 Mindset I Hate: Why Work-Life Balance Won't Make You Rich 00:07:30 Building CLÉDOR: The First Development-as-a-Service Company in Dubai 00:09:19 Pitching to 200 People: The Six-Month Fundraising Journey 00:08:47 From 425 Million Project to Billion-Dollar Vision in Five Years 00:20:56 What I Look for in Salespeople: Credibility, Hard Work, and the God-Given Face 00:06:39 The 70-Day Office Marathon and Why 14-Hour Days Are Normal 00:28:43 AI Won't Take Your Job: It'll Just Make You Better at It 00:30:15 The Future of Dubai Real Estate: Housing Shortage Now, Surplus in 2027 00:32:49 Why Most People Succeed in Dubai: Willingness to Work Hard Beats Everything Listen on: Spotify: Apple:  Connect with Omar:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omargull/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omar.gull/  Website: https://cledor.com/  Follow Our Host: Mohammad Osama: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohammad-osama-8395b88/

    36 min
  7. Gen Z Will Outgrow Your Company Fast | Preeti Bahuguna - Senior HR Director at The First Group

    FEB 18

    Gen Z Will Outgrow Your Company Fast | Preeti Bahuguna - Senior HR Director at The First Group

    Gen Z aren’t “difficult”. They’re just done accepting what previous generations tolerated. In this week’s episode of Out of Office, Preeti Bahuguna, Senior HR Director at The First Group, challenges the way organisations are thinking about the next generation of talent. From mental health and setting boundaries to employer branding and why culture is now a deal breaker, this is a conversation both leaders and candidates needs to hear. Preeti shares what she’s seeing first hand in the Middle East job market and why Gen Z won’t wait years to feel respected or valued, but demand it from day one. And if your workplace doesn’t align with their values, they will not hesitate to leave. Mark and Preeti chat about: ↳ Why mental health at work is not a buzzword ↳ What Gen Z actually expects from employers ↳ Why culture fit now outweighs pure technical experience ↳ How employer branding on LinkedIn directly impacts hiring ↳ The role of AI and ATS in modern day recruitment ↳ Why companies must meet Gen Z halfway, not dismiss them This isn’t a conversation about “kids these days”. It’s about a workforce shift that is already happening. Catch the must listen episode now! Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: The Middle East Hiring Paradox - Vibrant Yet Competitive 00:01:33 The Diversity Revolution: From Tick-Box to Real Value 00:02:27 AI in Recruitment: Augmented Intelligence Over Automation 00:04:51 Emiratisation and Cultural Constraints: Talking to Parents About Hotel Jobs 00:08:03 The Biggest Recruitment Challenges: Competition, Culture, and Gen Z 00:10:02 What Makes Good Talent Today: Easy to Work With Over Perfect Skills 00:11:22 Employer Branding That Works: The Karaoke Night That Got a Hire 00:13:18 I Was Gen Z Before Gen Z Existed: Mental Health, Tech, and No Power Distance 00:14:28 The Gen Z Reality: Purpose, Boundaries, and Holding Hands 00:16:27 Meeting in the Middle: Educating Stakeholders and Setting Realistic Expectations 00:18:12 ATS Systems and Candidate Experience: Rejections, Timelines, and Human Review 00:19:51 Closing: Hire for What's Missing, Not What's Been Done Before Listen on: Spotify: Apple:  Connect with Preeti:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/preeti-bahuguna-23350914/ Follow Our Host: Mark Timms: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marktimmsgrg/

    22 min
  8. I Was a 3x Winter Olympian, But I Felt Like I Failed | Sarah Lindsay Founder of ROAR

    FEB 11

    I Was a 3x Winter Olympian, But I Felt Like I Failed | Sarah Lindsay Founder of ROAR

    For most of her life, Sarah Lindsay was known for one thing. Olympian. Three times over. But when her athletic career ended, she did something unexpected. She stopped talking about it altogether. She didn’t introduce herself as an Olympian. She didn’t use it in business. She didn’t even want to be associated with it. What the outside world saw as success, she carried as shame. In this episode of The Brand of YOU, Sarah Lindsay, 3x Olympian and Founder of ROAR, opens up to Robyn Abou Chedid about the identity shift that followed elite sport and the quiet emotional fallout no one prepares you for when the competitions stop. Sarah talks about: ↳ Growing up believing the Olympics were “normal” and what happens when that world ends. ↳ The emotional reality of retiring from elite sport and grieving an identity. ↳ Why she didn’t want to be known as an Olympian while building her business. ↳ How mindset, not talent or hard work, separates the best at world level. ↳ Turning personal disappointment into the foundation of a powerful personal brand. ↳ What elite sport taught her about discipline, resilience, and entrepreneurship. ↳ Why she chose to speak openly about IVF, identity, and the pressure placed on women as life stages evolve. This is not a story about medals or winning. It is about identity, reinvention, and learning how to own your story, even when it does not end the way you planned. This conversation is a must listen. Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: The 3x Olympian Who Felt Like She Failed 00:04:00 The Psychology of Winning: Why Mindset Beats Hard Work 00:05:14 The Retirement Crisis: Losing Your Identity After the Olympics 00:07:25 Bringing the Olympian Back to Life: When Business Needs Your Story 00:08:34 Building ROAR: From London Celebrity to Dubai Expansion 00:10:10 The Walking Billboard: Pressure, Physique, and Eating Cake 00:14:10 Performance Over Aesthetics: The ROAR Philosophy 00:19:43 The IVF Journey: Five Years of Trying and What She Wishes She Knew 00:24:08 Identity Beyond Motherhood: Finding Pride in ROAR 00:25:57 The Secret Behind ROAR: Positivity, No Ego, and the Comeback Story Listen on: Spotify:  Apple:  Connect with Sarah:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-lindsay-oly-06561984/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roarfitnessgirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@roarfitnessdubai Website: https://www.roar-fitness.com/ Follow Our Host - Robyn Abou Chedid:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynabouchedid/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlnamedrobyn/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@girlnamedrobyn

    28 min

About

chatGRG explores how careers are built, shaped, and evolved in an AI-driven world. In a region where opportunity moves fast, careers are rarely linear. Being skilled is not enough. How you position yourself, how you show up, and how your experience translates into opportunity matter. chatGRG brings together leaders, founders, hiring managers, and regional influencers to share honest perspectives on building careers in the Gulf. We speak openly about getting hired, navigating multiple career moves, and understanding how decisions are made behind closed doors. Across these conversations, we also explore how personal brand and career visibility influence hiring outcomes, progression, and long-term credibility, especially in a market where reputation travels quickly. Produced through GRG, the region’s largest independently owned recruitment firm, the discussions are shaped by real access to senior hiring environments and market insight. This is not theory or motivation. It is experience-led discussion on careers, visibility, hiring dynamics, and what it takes to build long-term momentum. If you are building yourself or navigating your next move, this is the insight most people only gain after years in the market.