Acceptance speeches can always be a whirlpool of emotions. It’s not just about saying “thank you” – it’s about baring your soul while being recognized for your innovation. 

But the emotions went deeper than gratitude at last year’s Most Creative People in Business awards gala. It became a stage for vulnerability, inspiration, and, sometimes, humor. And for the audience, those inspiring words stayed with them long after the curtains closed. 

Here’s a glimpse into some of the most inspiring and impactful speeches from the event to ignite inspiration within you, too.

A SHARED PASSION FOR CHANGE

H.E. Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees and President of the American University of Sharjah opened with an inspiring quote by Steve Jobs: “Those who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who actually do.” She drew a connection to the honorees at Most Creative People in Business, stating, “We all share a passion for change. We have dedication, hard work, and a sprinkle of craziness.”

H.E. Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi

Her words resonated deeply with the audience, a sentiment felt by all through the night. In their unique way, each honoree shared the essence of being creative and what it means to create a difference. 

Anas Bukhash, the founder of influencer and celebrity marketing agency Bukhash Brothers, offered a thought-provoking perspective on creativity before taking the stage.

He began with, “I was thinking about the title ‘most creative,’ and it struck me how creativity is inherent in all of us as children. It’s sometimes disappointing how we grow up and become less curious, more refined, and more boxed.”

Anas Bukhash

But he offered a solution. He says, “If we can recapture that inner child that was so curious to open drawers and sketch on a wall or play in the sand, I think everybody is creative.”

Bukhash continued by expressing his admiration for the UAE’s thriving environment of creativity and entrepreneurship.

A philanthropist and mental health activist, H.H. Sheikha Intisar AlSabah was grateful as she took the stage, following the footsteps of remarkable honorees. With a tremble in her voice, she expressed, “Creativity truly has no bounds, and through it, we can all make a difference, however small, in this beautiful world.”

H.H. Sheikha Intisar AlSabah

She shared her organization’s use of drama therapy to aid Arab women affected by conflict, highlighting her commitment to peacebuilding. She says, “Every time I see the change in women, I see the peace and the place of the peace they get to and how they can change themselves, their families, and ultimately their societies and hopefully their countries.”

EMPOWERING THROUGH CREATIVITY

Amidst a wave of humility, Dareen Barbar, a personal trainer, life coach, and TEDx speaker, steals the light when she is grateful. “This award isn’t just for me. It’s for every person fighting to break stereotypes, every individual with a disability showcasing their extraordinary abilities.” 

Dareen Barbar

Her journey, marked by perseverance after losing her leg to cancer at 15, shows us the transformative power of mindset and self-belief. 

She is filled with tears of triumph as she dedicates the award to her younger self, proving that sometimes, just believing in yourself can shatter the glass ceiling. 

On a lighter note and adding a bit of humor, Hamad Al Amari, or as he charmingly clarified, “like calamari without the C,” graced the stage. He acknowledged the many inspiring people in the room, conflicting his role as “a dude who tells jokes” with their achievements.

Hamad Al Amari

Talking about being open to communication, he says, “It pays to listen a lot more, especially in this ever-changing world. Look around the room, and there are great people here. Everyone’s got a great story. Listen to their stories and share them, if you can.”

Amidst the gathering of great honorees, contemporary artist, and philanthropist Sacha Jafri humbly spoke about the influence of remarkable women on his journey, notably Sheikha Badour Al Qasimi.

Sacha Jafri

Reflecting on the privilege of spending the final years of Nelson Mandela’s life, Jafri shared some invaluable lessons: to master one’s fate and embrace humility, recognizing humanity’s insignificance in the universe. He says, “If we can remind ourselves of how small we are, we can embrace humility and become truly great. And that’s a truly great man. So that inspired my journey as an artist.” 

BREAKING BARRIERS WITH BELIEF

Gratitude filled the air as mountaineer and high-level supporter of UNHCR Omar Samra accepted his award, recognizing the collective effort of his team and loved ones in achieving this milestone. He says, “The world is going through so many challenges – from the climate crisis, unchecked AI, that threatens our very existence to major inequalities for women and girls around the world and refugees, who are still fighting for an opportunity to live, live with dignity and a normal life.” 

Omar Samra

He talks about the important role we must play to accomplish these things. “We’re going to have to hustle. We’re going to have to persevere.”

As he concluded, he mentioned that tomorrow’s ‘fast companies’ might not be unicorns but thoughtful, authentic, and sustainable entities.

Towards the end, in a heartfelt acceptance speech, Dr. Saeeda Jaffar, Senior Vice President and Country Manager for Visa’s operations across the GCC region, was grateful for the honor while candidly admitting the challenge of finding the right words. She beautifully attributed the award to her family, who supported her during her journey. 

“This is my mom’s award. She’s the one who said, go out there, do whatever you want. Never take no for an answer. It’s also for my dad, who, whenever I achieved a score of 99 out of a hundred, would ask, what happened to that one? It’s for my brothers, who were probably my first experience of what it’s like to be in a place filled with boys and more boys. It’s for my husband, who’s my rock.”

Dr. Saeeda Jaffar

She added, “It’s for my son, an amazing human being, and I’m privileged to be his mom. And it’s for each and every one of us who makes life possible.” 

Ultimately, the speeches at the Most Creative People in Business 2023 were a powerful reminder that creativity exists within all of us. Let their stories inspire you to take a bold step toward making a difference in the world.