I’m Waheed Zahran, a freelance leadership coach and executive trainer with over 23 years of experience empowering professionals and organizations across the MENA region. But my leadership journey didn’t begin in a boardroom.
It started in a classroom—with fear. As a young student, I was painfully shy. While I excelled academically, I struggled to speak in front of others. Reading aloud or participating in class made my face turn red and my voice tremble. I knew I had to change. In secondary school, I made a decision that changed my life: I started reading about self-confidence, public speaking, and personal leadership. I studied famous leaders, practiced daily exercises, and slowly built the courage to use my voice. At university, I joined the student magazine and wrote articles that helped me find confidence. Then, I ran for the student council—and won. Giving speeches, organizing campus events, and leading the cultural committee helped me realize my true passion: inspiring others to lead.