How Nations Build Strategy: Dubai & Cathedral Thinking

In this solo KISS episode of Boardroom Insights, Dr. Alan O’Neill reflects on a recent conversation with Farid Badri, a veteran of the Dubai oil industry and former refinery leader. While their discussion centred on crude oil, refinery economics and geopolitics, Alan zooms out to look at the bigger story: how Dubai has deliberately designed its future over the last 60 years.Drawing on economist David McWilliams’ concept of “cathedral thinking” — long-term planning that spans beyond the careers of its architects — Alan contrasts Dubai’s approach with the “next election / next quarter” mindset that dominates politics and business today.He shows how Dubai used limited oil revenues as seed capital to build infrastructure, services and incentives that attracted talent, capital and ideas — from Jebel Ali Port and free zones to Emirates Airline, roads, schools and hospitals — ultimately creating a services-led economy by design, not chance.Alan then maps Dubai’s journey onto his 7-Steps to Profit framework, exploring how the Emirate executed against:North Star... Culture... Strategy... People... Customer... Proposition... Execution.The episode ends with a provocation for leaders:What cathedral are you building inside your own organisation?