Leading in the Gulf: What This Moment Asks of Leaders

Gulf Business and PwC Middle East analysis argues that the structural trade shocks of 2026 demand leaders move beyond reactive instincts to embed disciplined decision cadences, disruption playbooks, and scenario-based response plans. The piece frames speed and quality of decision-making as a core competitive advantage, urging executives to build control-tower visibility and pre-defined response protocols before scenarios materialise. For SEA mid-market CEOs, the parallel is direct: geopolitical and supply-chain volatility requires pre-mortem thinking and standing decision frameworks, not ad hoc reactions.