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Mostafa Nagib
Country Manager - Saudi Arabia
A Country Manager needs a unique mix of strategic foresight, extensive industry knowledge, and a strong dedication to both business success and team development to successfully steer through complex market dynamics and promote sustainable growth. This combination empowers the organization to make decisions that not only address the current business priorities but also support long-term objectives, inspire a high-performing team, and cultivate strong stakeholder partnerships. Ultimately, this approach helps the organization flourish in a competitive and constantly changing landscape. Mostafa Nagib exemplifies this exceptional blend of qualities as a Country Manager.
Mostafa Nagib is a distinguished business strategist in the pharmaceutical industry, known for his expertise spanning over two decades across local, regional, and global markets. Currently working as the Country Manager for Saudi Arabia at a leading multinational pharmaceutical company - Lundbeck, Mostafa plays a pivotal role in driving transformational growth and enhancing the company’s presence in the kingdom. His responsibilities encompass leading multidisciplinary leadership teams, executing strategic growth plans, and ensuring the company’s global positioning and communication resonate effectively with diverse stakeholder segments.
Below is an excerpt of Mostafa Nagib’s exclusive interaction with CEO Insights ASIA magazine.
Give a brief account of your professional background and experience. What is the motivation that fuels your daily routines?
With over two decades in the pharmaceutical industry, I’ve had the privilege of working across various functions and countries, gaining diverse experience with three of the world’s leading multinational companies. My professional journey has been defined by a deep commitment to improving patient lives and a passion for leadership. Two key motivations fuel my daily routines. Firstly, the very nature of my work - knowing that our efforts directly contribute to enhancing the lives of hundreds of thousands of patients and their families. Every decision I make holds the potential to positively impact their health and well-being, and that purpose drives me to strive for excellence.
Secondly, my team is a constant source of inspiration and energy. Their dedication to our mission, combined with their relentless progress, ignites my enthusiasm and inspire me to push boundaries to support their growth and reach new heights. This made our encounter with business challenges more pleasant and with business opportunities not just meaningful but deeply rewarding.
Together, these motivations create a powerful synergy that not only propels my career forward but also ensures that our collective efforts lead to impactful and lasting results in the industry.
My leadership approach is centered on building the right team & fostering a culture of collaboration & growth
You possess over twenty-two years of experience. How has been your path to success and what is your success mantra?
My career in the pharmaceutical industry has been a rewarding journey, filled with diverse experiences across multiple roles and continents. I started in the field, working my way up through marketing, strategic management, and eventually into general management. My path to success has been guided by a genuine passion for marketing and strategy, coupled with a willingness to embrace new opportunities that align with my passion , even at the cost of stepping out of my comfort zone - whether that meant moving countries or accepting a temporary setback like a salary cut. My success mantra is simple: view each experience as an event, not a game. It’s not about winning or losing, but rather about learning and evolving. This mindset prevents me from overreacting to successes or failures, allowing me to stay balanced and focused. By treating every incident as a lesson in an infinite journey, I maintain my energy and commitment, always striving to improve and make a positive impact in my field.
Tell us about your leadership approach. What are the guidelines or methodologies you follow as a leader?
My leadership approach centers on three core principles that drive success and team cohesion. First, ensuring we have the right people on board is crucial. This involves not only recruiting individuals who align with our values and possess the right skills but also making tough decisions when someone does not fit the culture we are building. The goal is to create a team that is fully committed to our cause and capable of driving our mission forward.
Second, providing thoughtful and supportive guidance is key. I believe in helping each team member become the best version of themselves. This involves offering mentorship, professional development opportunities, and fostering an environment where continuous learning is encouraged. The third principle is fostering unity and collaboration. I ensure that our collective strength lies in the team, rather than individual achievements and that the team, not any individual, is the hero. This requires focusing on building a collaborative culture where self-interest takes a backseat to collective success. Encouraging open communication and mutual support helps in overcoming the natural tendency towards individualism and fosters a strong, unified team.
By combining these principles - assembling the right team, supporting their growth, and fostering collaboration - I aim to create a dynamic environment where employees thrive and contribute to our collective success.
What kind of work environment have you created in your organization that nurtures employee growth and development?
In our organization, we’ve cultivated a work environment where openness and ambition are highly encouraged. Employees are urged to voice their dreams and aspirations, knowing that the entire team is there to support them in achieving these goals. We recognize that many individuals possess competence but may doubt their abilities. By fostering a culture of vocal contribution and courage, we empower our team members to take on tasks and opportunities aligned with their passions. This approach not only builds confidence but also allows individuals to shine and grow within their roles, ultimately leading to personal and professional development.
How do you keep yourself up-to-date with ongoing industry trends to steer your organization towards the future?
Staying ahead in rapidly evolving markets is indeed a challenge. To keep my organization aligned with industry trends, we hold regular cross-departmental meetings to analyze both internal organization and external market dynamics. This collaborative approach ensures we understand the full spectrum of changes affecting us. We also deploy task forces to delve deeply into emerging trends and provide actionable recommendations. Additionally, we stay informed through regular interactions with the industry stakeholders, industry reports and reputable magazines, which help us identify trends early and adapt swiftly. This multi-faceted strategy allows us to navigate the future effectively and maintain our competitive edge.
What is the future destination you are headed towards?
My future destination is centered around leveraging the global opportunities that a corporate career offers. I’m eager to immerse myself in diverse environments, working across different regions and collaborating with people from various backgrounds. This global exposure not only enriches my professional journey but also allows me to learn from and contribute to new teams. Over the next five years, I aim to expand my experiences internationally, embracing new cultures and challenges. My goal is to add value to every organization I join and grow both personally and professionally through these global interactions.
In light of your strong experience within the industry, what advice would you give to the upcoming industry leaders?
To upcoming industry leaders, my key advice is to hone your decision-making skills by transforming information into informed choices. Be mindful of the invisible biases that can subtly influence your thoughts and decisions. These biases create patterns that may lead you to build strategies not grounded in solid principles. Acknowledging and mitigating these biases, though they can never be eliminated, helps ensure your decisions are based on objective facts and data. By striving for unbiased decision-making, you enhance your problem-solving skills, improve professional relationships, and ultimately contribute to better outcomes for your company and the health of many people.
Mostafa Nagib, Country Manager, Lundbeck
Mostafa Nagib is a seasoned pharmaceutical industry business strategist with over 20 years of global experience. As the Country Manager for Saudi Arabia at Lundbeck, he leads transformational growth. He is also the author of two business books, offering insights into his industry journey and success strategies.