For more than three decades, Dr. Pari Namazie has earned global recognition as a trusted advisor, leadership coach, and organisational transformation expert to executives around the world. From guiding Fortune 500 leaders through complex change to helping diverse teams align around shared purpose, her work blends strategic acumen with a deep belief in human potential.
Today, as the Managing Partner of Next Era Partners (NEXEPA) in Dubai — the regional arm of Eurasian Nexus Partners (EUNEPA), headquartered in Vienna, Austria — she draws on her experience as a seasoned facilitator across cultures and continents to bring empathy, insight, and a truly global perspective to the boardroom.
In this exclusive interview with Global Leaders Today, the sought-after mentor reflects on her remarkable journey, shares her vision for the MENA region, and explores what it truly takes to lead with heart, purpose, and impact in a rapidly changing world.
Q. You’ve built a remarkable career over three decades, working with leaders and organisations around the world. Could you walk us through your professional journey and what inspired you to focus on leadership coaching and transformation?
“You live life forwards and understand it backwards.” This quote deeply resonates with me. Looking back, I see a thread of heart, purpose, and impact throughout my journey. I began as a management consultant, building companies over 30 years and working with leaders globally—including in Fortune 500 firms.
Coaching found me unexpectedly when a CEO asked me to coach him. Though I wasn’t formally a coach then, I said yes—and discovered my calling. For me, coaching is a space of love and transformation, where people reconnect with their light. That’s where real transformation begins.
Today, I focus on executive coaching, leadership team development, and organisational transformation. I see leaders, teams, and organisations as interconnected systems. Like a bicycle, each part alone does little—a saddle, wheels, handlebar—but together, aligned in one direction, they create motion and impact.
In a world of conflict and complexity, my core values remain harmony, sustainability, and meaningful impact—built on trust and partnership.
Q. With the launch of Next Era Partners (NEXEPA) in Dubai, what vision are you bringing to the MENA region, and how does it build on the work you’ve been doing globally?
I deeply believe in tapping into our collective wisdom, using what already exists within us and around us. My vision is to grow from this shared energy, much like a garden where the flowers bloom from local soil and air, nourished by a global sun. It’s about blending local roots with global insight to create something truly ‘glocal’.
Across my global work with leaders, teams, and organisations, I’ve seen that each one is unique. Leaders often ask how they compare to global standards. Women leaders sometimes wonder if their challenges differ from those of the men I coach. Leaders in Asia ask me how different I find them to leaders in Europe and North America. And yet, I’ve found more that unites us than divides us – and greater strength and power from our shared values.
In a world of growing complexity and uncertainty, I believe in focusing on shared values and collective humanity. When we align with our purpose -individually and together- we become stronger, more connected, and better equipped to lead and grow.
Q. As someone who partners closely with C-suite executives and leadership teams, what qualities do you believe define truly effective leadership in today’s dynamic business environment?
It may sound cliché, but leadership truly matters, often more than strategy, structure, or even culture. People follow leaders they trust and respect, and just as often, they leave great companies because of poor leadership.
In today’s fast-paced, ever-changing world, the leaders who inspire and motivate others share a few key qualities. They lead with humility, kindness, and genuine curiosity. They’re not afraid to say, “I don’t know,” because vulnerability builds trust. They dream big and take people with them, creating a shared vision that energises teams.
Most importantly, they show strength in adversity, standing by their people during challenges, fighting for the team, not just for profits. These qualities don’t just build better teams; they create resilient, purpose-driven organisations.
Leadership today isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about being human, being present, and helping others grow and thrive alongside you.
Q. How do you strike a balance between guiding leaders and giving them space to evolve on their own terms?
For me, it’s all about meeting someone where they are, not where I assume they are. Striking the right balance starts with a meaningful dialogue: understanding what matters to them, where they are now, and where they want to go. From there, we create a roadmap that aligns with their goals, not mine.
I often use the word ‘co-creation’, because that’s what it is. We co-create the space for growth, identifying where support is needed and where a gentle nudge might help. Knowing the difference is key.
Sometimes, my role is simply to be an accountability partner. Why? Because leaders today are overwhelmed, balancing priorities, teams, projects, and tight deadlines. They don’t need more complexity. If I can help simplify things, bring structure, and support consistent follow-through, that’s what I’ll do. It’s about creating the space that helps them succeed, grow, and stay aligned with what truly matters to them. This is what I call being a trusted partner to my clients.
Q. As someone who travels and works across cultures and continents, how do you personally maintain energy, balance, and presence? And what advice do you offer leaders seeking the same?
This is a common issue I have encountered in executive coaching. Many leaders feel stuck because they’ve lost touch with what brings them joy and fulfillment. And many times, this is the work we do together.
Personally, I’ve learned to intentionally schedule recovery time into my calendar as down time is essential. I encourage leaders to do the same and discover what truly recharges them and to build that into their daily or weekly rhythm.
As an extrovert, I gain energy from connection, so I plan for that. When I need calm, I paint. For a creative boost, I dance. When I need to think deeply, I listen to a curated playlist. And when I need grounding, I turn to quotes and art that inspire me.
The key is knowing your energy buckets—what fills them, what drains them, and when they need refueling. I’ve learned never to let them drop below one-third. And once this energy and balance return, so do clarity, momentum, and flow.
Q. How are leadership development and coaching evolving in the age of AI, remote work, and rapid organisational change? What should companies be doing now to stay ahead?
Leadership development and coaching are evolving rapidly in today’s world of AI, remote work, and constant change. What used to be top-down and structured is now more fluid, human-centered, and adaptive. Leaders are no longer expected to have all the answers—they’re expected to ask better questions, foster connection, and lead with empathy.
Coaching is shifting too. It’s becoming more about presence, adaptability, and purpose-driven leadership. In this fast-paced, tech-driven era, we need to help leaders stay grounded, self-aware, and emotionally intelligent.
Companies that want to stay ahead must invest in creating cultures of continuous learning and psychological safety. They need to prioritise human skills—curiosity, resilience, empathy—alongside digital fluency. And they should view coaching not as a luxury, but as a strategic tool for navigating uncertainty and enabling transformation. In a world driven by speed and systems, the real edge lies in how deeply and authentically we connect—with ourselves and others.
Q. Looking ahead, what are your focus areas at NEXEPA—and what advice would you offer business leaders who want to lead with impact and stay future-ready?
At NEXEPA, our focus is on executive coaching, building stronger and more aligned leadership teams through team facilitation and coaching, and helping companies define what leading with impact truly means to them. We work with organisations to create a shared language around leadership, alignment, and being future-ready. What are you seeing? What might you be missing? Where are your blind spots? These are the powerful questions we explore together.
Our approach starts with where leaders are today and where they aspire to be tomorrow. From there, we co-create the path forward—through coaching, team facilitation, strategy development, or fractional HR support.
To business leaders: impact starts with clarity. Be intentional about how you lead, communicate, and evolve. Stay curious, build aligned teams, and create space for honest reflection. The future belongs to those who are not just reacting to change—but consciously shaping it. That’s the mindset that keeps you future-ready.
