“Tadhg is one of the most professional leadership development experts I have ever worked with. His passion towards people development is exceptional and he is one of a few experts who drives leadership development to a different level due to being close to the business and understanding transformational cultural requirements”
– Obaid Al Yalyali, SVP Shared Services, Borouge
Tadhg Flahive, CEO of TRALIS HR Consultancy, is a well-respected expert in executive leadership development. He has worked in various prestigious leadership roles across the Middle East, including positions with the General Secretariat of the Executive Council of the Abu Dhabi Government and ADNOC, one of the world’s largest energy companies. Tadhg has created and led leadership programs in collaboration with renowned institutions such as FranklinCovey, IMD, London Business School, and Henley.
In addition to his professional achievements, Tadhg has been actively involved in the community. He served as the President of the Abu Dhabi Irish Society from 2013 to 2015 and was the Chairman of the Middle East GAA County Board from 2018 to 2020. He has also coached Na Fianna teams, leading them to success in the Middle East League and Championship.
The Journey and Legacy of Leadership
Tadhg Flahive (BBS, MEd, MBA) is a consultant specializing in leadership and team-building. He has achieved impressive results for various companies and organizations throughout the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. Tadhg is originally from Listowel, Co. Kerry, and has been part of the Abu Dhabi Na Fianna GAA club since it was founded, taking on several committee roles. He served as the club’s Chair from 2005 to 2006 and again from 2015 to 2016. Tadhg currently resides in Abu Dhabi. His first book, ‘Through the Chair,’ chronicles the history of his beloved GAA club.
As the founder and CEO of his consultancy, Tadhg is a highly respected executive leadership advisor and facilitator with 30 years of experience in the UAE, USA, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, the UK, and Ireland. Before establishing TRALIS, he worked with the Executive Council of the Abu Dhabi Government and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company). Tadhg has implemented blended learning programs and team-building events for thousands of leaders and has guided executive leaders on learning journeys across three continents. He serves as a Program Director for London Business School and is a qualified facilitator for FranklinCovey, with expertise in nine different psychometric assessments that he incorporates into his work.
The Role in Shaping Leaders
Having lived and worked in the UAE for over 20 years, Tadhg’s core skills include leadership development, delivering team-building programs, managing strategic partnerships, initiating cultural change, and nurturing emerging leadership talent in dynamic environments. His approach combines traditional practices, experiential learning, and innovative thinking to help clients achieve their strategic objectives.
In his previous roles, Tadhg focused on developing standards and best practices in talent management, leadership development, and team building for ADNOC and the General Secretariat of the Executive Council, Abu Dhabi Government. His work included delivering blended learning programs to thousands of leaders and he played a key role in designing and implementing the innovative ‘ADNOC Future Leaders’ program.
Most recently, he served as a leadership development advisor at Borouge, where he helped the talent management division identify opportunities throughout the value chain. In addition to designing and delivering a range of leadership programs for all levels of leadership, Tadhg also acted as the Program Director for the executive course ‘Leading for the Future,’ in partnership with IMD Business School.
Tailored Leadership Solutions
| TRALIS was established in 2024 and focuses on helping leaders and teams succeed in varied and dynamic settings. The company specializes in designing and delivering leadership programs and team-building initiatives. It provides tailored solutions, combining global best practices with local knowledge. |
The company’s mission is to enhance capabilities within organizations by aligning with client values and expected behaviors. To achieve this, TRALIS provides open and collaborative relationships with clients from the initial design phase to final delivery, ensuring that it consistently exceeds expectations with every service offered.
The Three Phases of Leadership Development
Tadhg Flahive’s leadership programs are designed to make a positive impact, offering innovative and enriching experiences. The delivery of these programs uses various learning methods, following an integrative development cycle that includes three key phases: Alignment, Acquisition, and Application.
In the Align Phase, the company reviews the scope of work, aligns the content with the organization’s strategy, defines program outcomes, and creates customized structures. During the Acquisition Phase, participants take part in interactive sessions that boost self-awareness, engage in rich discussions and debates, and build on strengths. After the program, in the Application Phase, sustainable learning plans are established, key performance indicators are identified, reflections on the program are collected, and evaluation methods are put into place.
TRALIS employs a variety of techniques in its team-building programs, including activity-based, personality-based, skills-based, and problem-based approaches. The company can accommodate groups ranging from 30 to 500 participants and offers over 70 different team-building activities. These activities transform groups into effective teams, turning challenges into opportunities for learning. The team-building exercises foster trust, encourage accountability, provide a clear purpose, stimulate learning, and deliver results in a fun and supportive environment.
Experiential Learning for Executives
Recently, the company has expanded into reality-based leadership and team-building training specifically designed for senior and executive leaders. These programs focus on crisis management, decision-making, sensemaking, and problem-solving. One of the offerings incorporates full-motion simulators and experiential learning materials, along with the Reiss Motivation Profile psychometric tool. Participants experience survival scenarios in polar and jungle environments, where they must navigate through varying conditions such as light, darkness, heat, cold, haze, and snow.
In another program, participants find themselves on a lifeboat in a real water pool, facing choppy waves, strong winds, darkness, thunder, and lightning. Additionally, there is an immersive experience that places participants on a life-sized airplane, where they must defuse a bomb using innovative pop-up escape room technology, while managing turbulence, smoke, and engine failure.
After each immersive experience, participants reflect on their actions and behaviors, discussing them in relation to their personalized Reiss Motivation Profiles. Many senior executives have found these experiences to be eye-opening. After completing a recent program, one executive remarked, “I thought that I was up to speed in crisis management and communicating effectively. Having completed this program, I now realize I have a long way to go.”
Providing Innovative Leadership in the GCC
Innovation is a key topic for GCC leaders as they work to diversify their economies and advance digital development. At TRALIS, innovation means more than just using new technology; it focuses on providing a mindset that embraces change and encourages continuous learning.
In rapidly growing fields like AI and cloud technology, leaders must be open to disruption. The programs offered by Tadhg Flahive highlight the importance of having a growth mindset, pushing participants out of their comfort zones so they can make and learn from mistakes in a safe environment. The pursuit of innovation goes beyond having access to the latest technologies; it requires organizations to cultivate a culture that encourages smart and bold risk-taking.
Given the unstable geopolitical and economic situation in the GCC, crises often arise from market changes and political unrest. In this context, leaders need to navigate these challenges in ways that align with their long-term strategies. Tadhg Flahive provides effective training in crisis management, decision-making, and problem-solving, equipping executives with the skills necessary to guide their teams through uncertain situations.
Strategies for Cultural and Digital Leadership
Leaders in the GCC face the significant challenge of managing cultural differences within diverse teams. Leadership strategies that work well in Western contexts often need to be significantly adjusted to be effective in the GCC, where there are notable differences in hierarchy and cultural norms. TRALIS assists executives in navigating the complex social structures of the GCC by teaching them to blend global leadership styles with local cultural values. Instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach, the company customizes leadership development to fit the specific needs of the region.
As digital transformation rapidly progresses in the GCC, leadership training must also evolve quickly. The region’s authorities are investing heavily in technologies like AI and blockchain as industries transition into digital operations. TRALIS’s programs enable executives to leverage these technologies for the advancement of their organizations. Leaders must utilize recent innovations and integrate them into their business models, and TRALIS helps them combine their strategic knowledge with digital skills.
In addition to embracing technological advancements, Tadhg emphasizes the importance of creating a responsive organizational culture. In the GCC, executives need to react swiftly to changes in technology and market dynamics. Through its programs, TRALIS equips executives with essential skills for effective leadership in a digital environment. These skills support innovation and help maintain stability within their organizations.
Leading with Purpose
Tadhg Flahive’s work has had a significant impact on leaders across the Middle East and beyond. His tailored programs, combining global best practices with local understanding, have helped countless executives navigate complex challenges in leading their organizations to success. From building high-performing teams to navigating crises and embracing digital transformation, Tadhg Flahive empowers leaders with the skills they need to thrive in today’s dynamic world. His legacy is one of developing strong, adaptable, and innovative leaders.
Key Takeaways from Tadhg Flahive’s Impressive Leadership Journey
- Tadhg Flahive is an experienced leadership expert. With 30 years of experience across various countries and organizations, including government and major corporations like ADNOC, Tadhg has a deep understanding of leadership development. He has worked with renowned institutions like IMD and London Business School, demonstrating his credibility in the field.
- He offers tailored leadership programs and team-building activities. TRALIS doesn’t offer a one-size-fits-all approach. It customizes programs to meet the specific needs of its clients, using various methods like experiential learning, psychometric assessments, and even immersive simulations for crisis management training.
- Tadhg’s programs aren’t just about theory. They follow a three-phase process: Alignment (understanding the organization’s needs), Acquisition (interactive learning and self-discovery), and Application (creating sustainable learning plans and measuring results). This ensures that participants can apply what they learn back in their workplaces.
- He emphasizes the importance of adapting to change and innovation. Recognizing the rapidly changing business landscape, especially in the GCC, Tadhg’s programs focus on developing a growth mindset, embracing innovation, and navigating crises effectively. He emphasizes the need for leaders to be adaptable and to foster a culture of smart risk-taking.
- He helps leaders navigate cultural and digital challenges in the GCC. Tadhg understands the unique challenges faced by leaders in the Gulf region, including managing diverse teams and adapting to rapid digital transformation. His programs help leaders blend global best practices with local cultural values and effectively integrate new technologies into their organizations.
Company Overview –
| Featured Person | Tadhg Flahive, CEO |
| Company Name | TRALIS HR Consultancy |
| Company Headquarters | Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates |
| Founded Year | 2024 |
| Featured Person’s LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/tadhg-flahive-849214146/ |
| Company URL | https://www.tralis.ae |
