Dr. Ghenwa Habbal is a business and organizational psychologist, leadership futurist, and transformative strategist dedicated to redefining leadership in an unpredictable world. She has made significant contributions to the field by developing the F.A.S.T. Model, a pioneering leadership framework that helps individuals and organizations navigate volatility, embrace adaptability, and achieve sustainable success.
Dr. Ghenwa Habbal | People & Culture Manager | FORD
Her expertise lies in bridging the gap between psychology, neuroscience, and strategy to reshape leadership approaches for a rapidly evolving landscape. At EliteX, we are proud to have Dr. Ghenwa Habbal as part of the edition: 10 Elite Women in Business, 2025.
Her journey into business was fuelled by a deep fascination with human behavior, leadership dynamics, and organizational success. Recognizing a gap between traditional leadership methods and the challenges of the modern world, she set out to create innovative frameworks that challenge conventional thinking. Her book, The Talent Matrix: How Emotional Intelligence Reshapes Talent and Performance, co-authored with Dr. Soha Chaine, is a testament to this mission. She is also preparing to share further insights through The F.A.S.T. Model: Transformative Leadership for a VUCA World, which will continue to shape leadership strategies globally.
One of the greatest challenges she faced early in her career was overcoming rigid hierarchical structures resistant to change. Many organizations hesitated to adopt leadership models emphasizing adaptability and emotional intelligence. Instead of conforming, she demonstrated the effectiveness of her methods through results, leading by example and educating leaders on the power of transformation. Over time, her approach gained traction, making her a sought-after advisor and speaker for professionals seeking to thrive in uncertainty.
“The world needs more women rewriting the rules, not playing small.”
For Dr. Habbal, leadership is not about authority but about vision, influence, and adaptability. She likens it to the nervous system of an organization—if it fails, the entire structure crumbles. Effective leadership requires clarity, agility, and a commitment to people and culture. Through The F.A.S.T. Model, she ensures that leadership is focused, strategic, and trust-driven, helping organizations navigate challenges with confidence. A defining moment in her career was introducing The F.A.S.T. Model to the world. This bold step challenged traditional leadership norms and advocated for a new way of thinking. The overwhelming positive response reinforced her belief that true success is about rewriting the rules when necessary rather than simply following outdated frameworks. This innovative approach has positioned her at the forefront of leadership transformation.
She identifies four key qualities essential for success in today’s business environment: focus, adaptability, strategic thinking, as well as trust and influence, guided by emotional intelligence. In an era of constant disruption, leaders must be capable of pivoting, anticipating long-term challenges, inspiring confidence, and managing relationships effectively. These qualities are vital for sustaining success and fostering resilient organizations. Over the years, the leadership and HR landscape has shifted from rigid, top-down models to more agile, people-centric approaches. While progress has been made, she believes there is still room for improvement. Her focus remains on observing, analyzing, and filtering trends to eliminate unnecessary noise and create what she calls “Sane Humanity.” This approach ensures that leadership remains practical, humane, and aligned with the complexities of the modern world.
Looking ahead, she predicts that AI and human-centered leadership will shape the industry over the next five years. As technology advances, leaders must balance AI integration with emotional intelligence. She also foresees a rise in quantum leadership thinking, flexible work models that prioritize culture over control, and a greater emphasis on psychological safety and trust. These trends will redefine leadership, making adaptability and inclusivity more crucial than ever. In such a competitive business environment, Dr. Habbal stays ahead by thinking beyond traditional binaries. She challenges outdated models and prioritizes transformational impact over temporary trends. Her commitment to continuous learning, strategic collaboration, and thought leadership enables her to create innovative solutions that help leaders embrace change rather than fear it.
For young women aspiring to follow in her footsteps, her advice is clear: “Own your power!” She encourages them to challenge the status quo, break free from limiting beliefs, and be unapologetically ambitious. Success is not about fitting into existing systems but about redefining them. She believes the world needs more women who are willing to rewrite the rules rather than conform to outdated expectations. Women in business can support each other by fostering alliances rather than competing. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship, sponsorship, and collective empowerment. True impact, she believes, comes from collaboration and lifting each other up rather than working in isolation. When one woman rises, she paves the way for others to follow.
Dr. Habbal draws inspiration from her family and personal hardships. Every obstacle she encountered became an opportunity for growth, helping her discover the power within herself. She is also inspired by visionary leaders who refuse to conform, break barriers, and turn challenges into opportunities. Most of all, she finds inspiration in women who dare to lead and make an impact despite societal limitations. Balancing work and personal life, she believes, is about prioritization rather than attempting to do everything. She focuses on intentional time management, setting clear boundaries, and maintaining energy over mere effort. Success, she emphasizes, should never come at the expense of well-being. Leading by example, she demonstrates that professional achievements and personal fulfillment can coexist.
Her greatest achievement so far aside from her un-orthodox, bold and game-changing book “The Talent Matrix”, has been creating a leadership model that challenges outdated thinking and empowers individuals to thrive in uncertainty. The impact of The F.A.S.T. Model on organizations and leadership development is rewarding, but she firmly believes that her most significant accomplishments are still ahead.
Looking to the future, she envisions leaving a legacy that extends beyond a single model—she aims to create a movement. Her goal is to revolutionize leadership by empowering individuals to break free from traditional constraints, embrace adaptability, and create lasting impact. She wants future generations of women to understand that success does not require conformity but rather passion, purpose and courage to lead on their own terms and challenge existing norms. Through her work, she is paving the way for a new era of leadership where adaptability, trust, and strategic influence redefine success.
“Leadership is not about authority—it’s about vision, influence, and adaptability.”