25/01/2025
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25/01/2025
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KUWAIT CITY, Jan 25: During a highly engaging panel discussion, the sixth edition of the Tamakan Program welcomed Ms. Shaikha Al-Bahar, Deputy Group CEO of National Bank of Kuwait. Drawing on her extensive experience in the banking sector, Al-Bahar shared valuable insights and offered Kuwaiti youth practical advice to help them establish successful careers.
First Steps in Banking
Kicking off her speech, Al-Bahar reflected on the early stages of her career in the banking sector. She remarked, “I began my professional journey as an intern at NBK before transitioning to corporate banking, which proved to be an incredible learning experience. Throughout my career, I had the privilege of participating in numerous training programs, both locally and internationally, at esteemed institutions such as Harvard, Stanford, and the Wharton School of Business.”
“I have always had an insatiable appetite for learning, knowledge, and gaining new experiences. I actively participated in numerous workshops and dedicated countless hours to reading, which helped me overcome challenges and address problems in collaboration with my team,” Al-Bahar added.
When asked about her decision to pursue a career in banking, Al-Bahar explained, “I chose to work in this vital sector because it ignited my passion and provided the ideal platform to achieve my goals.”
She emphasized that one of the key strengths of the banking sector lies in its widespread influence across various fields, impacting everyone from individual customers to large corporations and even entire nations. She highlighted the sector's vital role in the national economy, noting that it supports the government’s economic agenda by financing mega projects across multiple sectors. Additionally, she pointed out the significant contribution of banking in the residential sector, helping citizens realize their aspirations of owning their dream home.
Key Challenges
Reflecting on the major challenges she faced throughout her banking career, Al-Bahar shared, “I encountered numerous challenges, particularly when I began working with international banks and large corporations on significant deals. While it was an incredibly exciting experience, it also placed immense pressure on me to meet deadlines and fulfill obligations on time.”
She emphasized that her success in overcoming these challenges was largely attributed to the support of a highly skilled and diverse team, characterized by exceptional efficiency, commitment, and responsibility.
The Private Sector
Al-Bahar pointed out that, in contrast to the public sector, the private sector offers employees the opportunity for faster personal growth. It allows individuals to enhance their skills, gain valuable experience, and learn not only from their colleagues but also from customers. She further emphasized that working in the banking sector provides continuous learning opportunities, exposure to diverse challenges, and access to new markets and customers. Specifically, at NBK, employees benefit from the bank's strong presence not only in the local market but also in regional and global markets.
Furthermore, Al-Bahar offered a set of valuable insights to the participants of the "Tamakan" Program, stating, “I look forward to seeing many of you join the banking sector. However, to achieve this, you must work diligently, be active team members, avoid focusing solely on individual work, and take on responsibility to add value to the sector, which plays a crucial role in Kuwait’s economic development.”
“Teamwork benefits both the employee and the organization they work for. Therefore, always strive to earn the trust of your colleagues, make them believe in your abilities, and instill confidence in your ability to accomplish tasks. Embrace challenges and never yield to obstacles, as they are part of any job. Focus on finding solutions to the problems you encounter by reading and consulting with your managers and experienced colleagues,” Al-Bahar advised.
Al-Bahar also advised young people entering the workforce to remain committed and ensure that the tasks entrusted to them are completed on time. She emphasized the importance of initiating innovative ideas and demonstrating loyalty to their workplace, as this would enhance managers' trust in the employee. Such dedication, she explained, paves the way for career advancement, offering opportunities for excellence, promotions, and ultimately reaching the top of the career ladder.
Al-Bahar emphasized, “Employees must be deeply passionate about their work, showcasing the ability to complete tasks with quality, timeliness, and innovation.” She encouraged young professionals to embrace any task assigned by their superiors, regardless of its complexity, and to challenge themselves to successfully complete it.
Personal Skills
She noted that finding solutions to the challenges and obstacles encountered in one’s career is one of the most significant hurdles employees encounter. However, being part of a team provides an opportunity to exchange experiences and ideas, enabling the development of solutions to these problems and ultimately achieving success.
Al-Bahar highlighted that employees require two key types of skills: technical skills, which can be acquired through learning, continuous training, and reading, and personal skills, which present a greater challenge. She particularly emphasized the importance of personal skills, especially those that embody leadership qualities.
“Leadership is not something that comes naturally to everyone, but as young professionals at the start of your careers, you must focus on acquiring personal skills that will enable you to play a more influential role in the organizations you will work for in the future. This includes interacting with your team effectively and positively, and always being ready to offer assistance to those in need,” Al-Bahar explained.
Talent Acquisition
Regarding the qualities NBK seeks when hiring young talent, Al-Bahar stated, “Youth are not only the future and the cornerstone of development in any organisation but in any country. Therefore, NBK is committed to attracting talented Kuwaiti youth, investing in them by providing training and development opportunities, and supporting their career advancement to achieve success. This benefits not only the employee and the organization but also Kuwait as a whole.”
“We are always keen to hire young individuals who are eager to develop their skills and advance to higher positions within the organization. We value those who are committed to growth and aspire to contribute meaningfully, rather than those who are simply looking for a paycheck at the end of the month,” Al-Bahar confirmed.
Al-Bahar emphasized that many Kuwaiti youth are both intelligent and innovative, particularly in the field of technology, aligning perfectly with banks’ needs. She highlighted that NBK remains committed to investing heavily in technology and innovation, as they play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the banking sector.
She stated that the adoption of modern technologies helps reduce operating costs and enhances the quality of services offered to customers, thereby increasing customer satisfaction and ensuring the bank keeps pace with their evolving needs.
NBK Tech Academy
Al-Bahar highlighted the Bank's launch of NBK Tech Academy, the first academy in Kuwait dedicated to digital technology and data systems. She remarked, “I was truly impressed to see the creative Kuwaiti youth enrolled in the Academy, particularly those in the field of technology, who possess the potential to play a significant role in shaping the future of the banking sector.”
“Many jobs will disappear due to the technological advancements occurring globally, along with the changes they are driving across all sectors and industries, including banking. However, we rely on these young individuals for their creative thinking, their ability to adapt technology to effectively manage and analyze big data, and to then launch new products and services while improving existing ones to meet the evolving demands of customers,” Al-Bahar explained.
“Data and the ability to manage it has become a discipline in its own right, and no bank can compete in the field of digital banking without possessing a vast database and a team with the necessary skills to analyze that data and conduct market research to stay in tune with changes,” Al-Bahar noted. She also highlighted that NBK has a young and skilled team in the field of data, whose efficiency has allowed the bank to adapt to market changes and maintain its leadership in the banking sector.
Al-Bahar observed that the world may experience a new technological wave within the next 10-15 years. She emphasized the critical need for banks to continuously monitor the market and staying prepared to adapt and respond to any changes or developments in this area.
It is worth noting that Tamakan was honored with "The Social Work Pioneer Project Award" by the GCC Council of Ministers of Social Affairs and Labor. This prestigious accolade recognizes Tamakan as a trailblazing training initiative for Kuwaiti fresh graduates, fostering professional self-development and empowering them to emerge as a dynamic and effective workforce in the region.
NBK’s support for the sixth edition of the "Tamakan" program, aimed at training Kuwaiti university graduates and organized by Creative Confidence, reflects the bank’s commitment to the value of practical experience. The program offers intensive hands-on training to newly graduated national talents, empowering them to transition into an effective and dynamic workforce.
