Five active students in the Student Leadership Program (SLP) at American University of Sharjah (AUS) attended a workshop entitled "Talent Leadership: A Proven Method for Developing Leaders and Future Leaders" lead by professor John Mattone on Wednesday, November 20, 2013, at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel in Dubai. The event was organized by Innoverto, a high-profile training and events management company based in Dubai, UAE.

The workshop addressed the issue of development of future leaders and successful succession planning. Diverse topics were analyzed and presented such as the identification of potential leaders, the need to improve the strategic succession plan, the difference between performance and potential, the significance of objective assessment, the need to develop high-potential and emerging leaders and some research studies conducted in the UAE's market.

Ahmed Taha, a chemical engineering junior, said, "From this workshop, I learned that one of the most important factors for the development of a new leader is that he needs to create an Individual Development Plan (IDP) for himself. First, he must look inside himself and identify his own gifts and deficiencies. Next, the person is responsible for creating a plan that leverages his gifts and addresses his deficiencies. Finally, he should follow the plan every day and connect with it emotionally, believing that the IDP is his only way towards success in the future."

"The SLP training sessions and workshops aim to improve our student learning and personal growth through organized professional supervision and support. The workshops grant the students the opportunity to interact with skilled people in various fields to inspire them and sustain their acquisition of necessary competencies which will develop their personalities and behaviors," said Dr. Moza Al Shehhi, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.