The OSHRM 8th Conference and Exhibition 2025 in Muscat opened with a strong and inspiring atmosphere. The event was inaugurated under the patronage of HH Marwan bin Turki Al Said, Governor of Dhofar, with the distinguished presence of HH Sayyida Basma bint Fakhri Al Said and Dr. Ghalib Alhosni, Chairperson of OSHRM. A heartfelt keynote by Ghanim Al Muftah from Qatar set the tone for the days ahead – centered around courage, resilience, and leadership that opens doors rather than builds walls.

With the theme “Leadership in Open Space”, the first 2 days brought together leaders and experts to reflect on how HR is evolving across Oman and the Gulf. From leadership and labor policy to empathy, sustainability, psychological safety, and digital transformation – each topic offered deep insights and practical direction.

What We Heard and Learned

Costas Markides opened with a powerful keynote, asking: How did your parents raise you, and how are you raising your children today?

His challenge to leaders was clear – lead with “why” on emotional level, offer a sense of belonging, and be a net energy provider. That last point stayed with me. What a beautiful call to action: bring net positive energy to your people.

HE Dr. Mahad Baawain, Minister of Labor, reminded us that policies must stay flexible. Labor is shaped by more than economics – it is shaped by culture, society, and global shifts. I could not agree more.

Mimi Nicklin – Empathy Advocate reframed empathy not as a soft skill, but as a critical leadership tool. We are living in an empathy deficit, and for the first time, 4 generations share the same workplace. Her message: decode multigenerationality and bridge those gaps with understanding.

Dr Kate Barker introduced the idea of “BraiNet” which is the future of internet and shared the top HR trends she sees shaping our future: human performance, social connection, leadership development, and workforce well-being.

Dr Roy Casagranda, PhD brought a philosophical touch, reminding us that: The emotional center of your mind should talk to your rational center.

It is a message we often forget in strategy-driven environments.

One of the most relevant and well-articulated sessions was the panel “Fearless Teams: Building High-Performance Cultures Through Psychological Safety,” moderated by Julian Troian. Alongside speakers like Dr. Dr Kate Barker, Eng. Said Salim Al Shanfari, Hussain Ali Allwati, and saher sidhom, they shared practical ways leaders can make workplaces more open, safe, and collaborative. It was clear that psychological safety is no longer a luxury—it’s becoming a core part of team performance.

We also heard strong contributions from government leaders, public sector changemakers, and voices from sport and industry. Whether the topic was sustainability, high-performing cultures, or something else – the human element remained central.

My Takeaway

HR in the Gulf is changing. It is becoming more adaptive, more human, and more integrated into national growth. In Oman especially, I see a clear shift from compliance-based HR to people-driven strategy. We are connecting leadership, policy, and well-being like never before.

Tomorrow will be especially exciting as I lead the panel “Inclusion Revolution: Powered by Technology”. Together with Mimi Nicklin – Empathy Advocate, Dr. Siham Al Sinani, Hanaa Al-Hinai, Dr. Corrie Jonn Block, PhD, DBA, we will explore how inclusion can become real, operational, and meaningful – with tech as a thoughtful support.

Stay tuned – Day 3 promises to be just as inspiring.