Some experiences leave you with unforgettable memories. Others reshape the way you lead.

For me, the 25th World Scout Jamboree in the Republic of Korea was far more than an international event. It became one of the most valuable leadership lessons of my career—a powerful reminder that true leadership is measured not when everything goes according to plan, but when plans suddenly change.

This was my first World Scout Jamboree and my first opportunity to join more than 45,000 Scouts and leaders from across the globe in one place. It was a remarkable platform for friendship, cultural exchange, learning, and international collaboration.

Long before departure, however, we knew that success would depend on preparation.

Supported by the Board of the Emirates Scout Association, we aimed to deliver the largest and best-prepared UAE delegation ever to attend a World Scout Jamboree. A delegation of 66 Scouts and leaders was carefully prepared through three national training camps, focusing on leadership, teamwork, cultural identity, physical readiness, and adapting to Korea’s expected weather conditions.

Our planning also extended to logistics, food supplies, medical preparations, communications, media coverage, and clearly defined responsibilities. Every team member understood their role before the journey even began.

Then reality changed everything.

Heavy rainfall struck the Jamboree site just days before arrival. Although reassurances were given that preparations had been completed, we arrived to find flooded campsites, muddy ground, and operational challenges that were far greater than expected.

As the event progressed, extreme heat, high humidity, limited water supplies, and difficult living conditions placed enormous pressure on participants. Several major national contingents decided to withdraw.

For us, withdrawing was never our first option.

Our priority became protecting our participants, maintaining morale, supporting parents back home, and ensuring that every member of the delegation continued to have a meaningful experience despite the circumstances. That was when I truly understood an important leadership principle:

Crisis management begins long before the crisis itself.

Every contingency plan, every logistics meeting, every assigned responsibility, and every training exercise suddenly became invaluable.

Despite the difficult conditions, the UAE National Day celebration inside the Jamboree became one of our proudest moments. Our campsite welcomed visitors from around the world to experience Emirati culture, traditional food, music, heritage, and hospitality—presenting a positive image of the UAE even during one of the event’s most challenging periods.

Then came the greatest challenge.

As Typhoon Khanun approached, the World Organization of the Scout Movement made the decision to evacuate the entire Jamboree site.

Working closely with WOSM, the UAE Embassy in the Republic of Korea, and the leadership of the Emirates Scout Association, we successfully implemented our evacuation plan, relocating the delegation safely to Seoul while ensuring continuity of activities, participant wellbeing, and effective communication with families.

While the global Scouting movement successfully evacuated more than 45,000 participants within hours, our own focus remained clear: keep our delegation safe, confident, and united.

Looking back, I no longer remember the heat, the rain, or even the typhoon.

I remember the teamwork. I remember the resilience. Most importantly, I remember how careful preparation transformed an unexpected crisis into one of the most rewarding leadership experiences of my professional journey.

My takeaway

Leadership is not about executing the perfect plan. It is about adapting when circumstances change, keeping people safe, maintaining confidence, and finding opportunities even in uncertainty. Because the strongest organisations are not those that never face crises. They are the ones that are prepared when crises inevitably arrive.

To be continued…