Speaking at the “Make it in the Emirates” summit in Abu Dhabi, the businessman used the example to highlight the importance of discipline, constant engagement, and a strong corporate culture for companies operating in times of crisis and uncertainty.

“I always say: my IQ is average, but my strongest quality is hard work,” Alabbar said. “I believe in hard work.”

He emphasized that business success depends not only on long working hours, but also on the ability to analyze opportunities, assess risks correctly, and closely monitor execution.

“You need to check your work, study every opportunity, understand where to take risks, and keep track of how people deliver tasks,” he said.

Alabbar linked this mindset to his preference for hiring Indian professionals, saying: “I like hiring Indians because they answer calls even at 1 a.m.,” adding a well-known business maxim: “The harder you work, the luckier you become.”