May Kanounji

CEO, Blooming Wear, KSA
Forbes Winner 2020
Business Transformation Expert

May Kanounji is a dynamic leader in the fashion industry. She was recognized by Forbes as one of the top 50 impactful marketing and communications executives in 2020. With 20 years of experience in operational strategies and customer-centric marketing under her belt along a track record in overcoming business challenges and making high-stakes decisions, she is well-versed in product positioning, brand building​, and governance, in addition to growth management in both retail and wholesale, business development, social media and digital strategy and brand positioning

“Leadership is molded based on personal traits and experiences. The strongest leaders are those who empathize with themselves and others.”

“In the new era of leadership, leaders are expected to be empathetic and empower others to take ownership of challenges.”

Leadership involves creating an environment where everyone feels heard and valued while making tough decisions that align with the company’s vision. This experience reaffirmed my commitment to fostering a culture of inclusivity and transparency. I’ve adjusted my interactions with certain team members, being more motivational and authoritative when necessary, while explaining decisions to those who appreciate the rationale.

Leading a company is not just about decisions but guiding the team through them with empathy. It’s about ensuring each step strengthens the team’s cohesion and advances strategic objectives. As leaders, we must adapt and evolve, learning from challenges to improve ourselves.

“Leadership involves creating an environment where everyone feels heard and valued while making tough decisions that align with the company’s vision.”

Understanding your strengths and weaknesses

Understanding your strengths and weaknesses as a leader is crucial. Your objective is not to eliminate weaknesses but to control them and emphasize strengths. Leadership is molded based on personal traits and experiences. The strongest leaders are those who empathize with themselves and others. A leader’s first priority is their people. Focus on what motivates them, their well-being, and always listen to their feedback. A leader who claims a customer-centric strategy must first prioritize their people: employees are the first customers.

Admitting mistakes is crucial for growth. When managing a team, it’s liberating to say, ‘I make mistakes too and I’ve made an error here’. This approach helps in learning from mistakes and fosters a culture of transparency and continuous improvement.

“A leader who claims a customer-centric strategy must first prioritize their people—employees are the first customers.”

Understanding your strengths and weaknesses as a leader is crucial. Your objective is not to eliminate weaknesses but to control them and emphasize strengths. Leadership is molded based on personal traits and experiences. The strongest leaders are those who empathize with themselves and others. A leader’s first priority is their people. Focus on what motivates them, their well-being, and always listen to their feedback. A leader who claims a customer-centric strategy must first prioritize their people—employees are the first customers.

Initiatives like weekly coffee sessions with the CEO open to all grades and positions, and celebrating group birthdays, foster internal communities and continuous feedback. These sessions allow the CEO to communicate not only what they know but also what they don’t know. In the new era of leadership, leaders are expected to be empathetic and empower others to take ownership of challenges. When a leader admits, “I don’t know”, it breaks down anxiety among team members, encouraging them to reveal their own uncertainties. This act of empathy fosters a workplace culture prioritizing open communication and mutual support, leading to stronger relationships and effective teamwork.