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Sattar Bawany

Professor Sattar Bawany equips leaders to navigate disruption, lead with resilience, and drive transformation in the digital era.

 

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5 of 5

“Based on the feedback from the C-Suite leaders, as well as from my observations as the CEO and Sponsor, both CEE and you as the Coach have exceeded our expectations for such a coaching engagement. Today, the C-Suite leaders have someone they can talk to, discuss facts with, and get clear, concise, “right-on” feedback that they can take and immediately implement. Your advice is always spot on! They have learned to have confidence in your counsel because it works. Both CEE and your approach is all about results and relationships and keeps them focused on these high leverage areas. Your invaluable insights come from the rare combination of being a seasoned and successful global executive development practitioner, having solid academic credentials, and a strong track record of coaching and consulting experience as evidenced by others that you have helped. We would highly recommend you as an Executive Coach to any organization that would like to transform their senior leadership team and developing a next-generation leadership pipeline.”

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Why book Sattar Bawany for your next event

  • Learn from a globally recognised leadership expert with 35+ years of business and executive coaching experience.
  • Gain actionable insights on crisis leadership, transformation, and thriving in a VUCA world.
  • Discover practical frameworks for leading across generations and driving organisational resilience.

Non-binding request for Sattar Bawany

Leadership strategist, author, and C-suite coach shaping the next generation of leaders in a disruptive world.

Professor Sattar Bawany is a globally recognised authority in leadership, transformation, and executive coaching. As CEO of the Disruptive Leadership Institute (DLI) in New York and Managing Director for Executive Development Associates (EDA) in Asia Pacific, he has guided leaders and organisations through rapid change and uncertainty. With over 35 years of global business experience and 25 years in leadership development, he blends academic depth with real-world insights. His keynotes and masterclasses challenge leaders to embrace disruption, adapt to the digital revolution, and build cultures of resilience and innovation that sustain success in a constantly shifting world.

 

A Global Voice in Leadership and Transformation

Professor Sattar Bawany has built a distinguished international career helping leaders and organisations navigate disruption, transformation, and the demands of the modern workplace. As CEO of the Disruptive Leadership Institute (DLI) LLC in New York and Managing Director for Executive Development Associates (EDA) in Asia Pacific, he leads initiatives that prepare executives to meet the challenges of an unpredictable, fast-evolving business landscape.

In addition to his corporate leadership roles, Prof. Bawany serves as C-Suite Master Executive Coach at the Centre for Executive Education (CEE), where he partners with senior leaders to enhance strategic thinking, adaptability, and performance. His academic appointments include Professor of Practice in Disruptive Leadership and Digital Transformation at the European International University – Paris (EIU), and Adjunct Professor of Leadership and Strategy at institutions such as Curtin University (Australia) and the Paris Graduate School of Management.

 

Over Three Decades of Global Experience

Prof. Bawany’s experience spans more than 35 years across industries and continents. His career has combined executive leadership, coaching, academic teaching, and research, creating a unique blend of insight and practicality. For over 25 years, he has specialised in executive coaching, leadership development, and group facilitation, working closely with global organisations to design strategies that build resilient, adaptive, and forward-thinking leadership cultures.

He has helped organisations across Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Americas develop talent pipelines, manage transitions, and shape leadership legacies. His methodology combines psychometric tools such as MBTI, Hogan Suite, and Extended DISC with evidence-based research and storytelling, ensuring a balance of data-driven insight and human understanding.

 

Transformational Speaking and Keynote Topics

As a global speaker, Prof. Bawany is known for his engaging delivery, thought-provoking ideas, and practical frameworks. His keynote topics are tailored to help leaders navigate complexity, drive transformation, and lead with confidence in disruptive environments. Popular themes include:

  • Disruptive and Crisis Leadership

  • Transforming Next-Generation Leaders in the Fourth Industrial Revolution

  • Leading in a VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) World

  • Engaging a Multigenerational Workforce

  • Talent Management, Succession Planning, and Executive Transitions

  • Building Organisational Culture, Innovation, and Resilience

 

Author and Thought Leader

Prof. Bawany’s thought leadership extends through his influential publications, which capture decades of experience and research. His books include Transforming NextGen Leaders: Meeting the Leadership Challenges in the Era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0) (2019), Leadership in Disruptive Times: Negotiating the New Balance (2023), and The Making of a C.R.I.S.I.S. Leader (2025).

These works provide frameworks for developing adaptive, future-ready leaders and offer tools for navigating disruption with purpose and composure. His writing and lectures are highly regarded for their clarity, strategic relevance, and applicability to real-world challenges faced by leaders at all levels.

 

Awards and Global Recognition

Prof. Bawany’s influence has been recognised globally. In 2023, he was named one of the “Top 15 Exceptional Executive Coaches Globally” by CEO Weekly Magazine and one of the “Top 10 Best CEOs in Singapore” by CEO Insights Asia. Earlier, he received the “Executive of the Year for Human Resources Consulting” award at the Singapore Business Review Management Excellence Awards (2019). These recognitions underscore his credibility as a transformative leader and trusted advisor to executives worldwide.

 

Coaching Philosophy and Methodology

Prof. Bawany’s approach to executive development is practical, evidence-based, and deeply personalised. He customises every speech, workshop, and coaching engagement to align with the organisation’s context, culture, and challenges. His methodology blends academic theory with case studies, storytelling, and actionable strategies designed to produce measurable results.

Using advanced psychometric assessments and leadership models, he helps leaders identify strengths, overcome blind spots, and develop the agility needed for sustained success. Whether addressing digital disruption, cross-generational leadership, or cultural transformation, Prof. Bawany’s sessions leave participants with clear, implementable takeaways that enhance performance and resilience.

 

Why Book Professor Sattar Bawany

Booking Professor Sattar Bawany means engaging one of the most insightful and credible voices in modern leadership. He equips leaders with the mindset and tools to navigate disruption, foster innovation, and lead with empathy and clarity. His deep understanding of organisational culture, talent pipelines, and executive transitions makes his sessions highly relevant for C-suite executives and leadership teams worldwide.

Prof. Bawany’s presentations are dynamic, research-backed, and tailored to each audience, ensuring every event delivers both inspiration and tangible value. For organisations striving to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world, he offers a roadmap for sustainable leadership success.

Customer Reviews

5 of 5

“Based on the feedback from the C-Suite leaders, as well as from my observations as the CEO and Sponsor, both CEE and you as the Coach have exceeded our expectations for such a coaching engagement. Today, the C-Suite leaders have someone they can talk to, discuss facts with, and get clear, concise, “right-on” feedback that they can take and immediately implement. Your advice is always spot on! They have learned to have confidence in your counsel because it works. Both CEE and your approach is all about results and relationships and keeps them focused on these high leverage areas. Your invaluable insights come from the rare combination of being a seasoned and successful global executive development practitioner, having solid academic credentials, and a strong track record of coaching and consulting experience as evidenced by others that you have helped. We would highly recommend you as an Executive Coach to any organization that would like to transform their senior leadership team and developing a next-generation leadership pipeline.”

Sattar Bawany

5 of 5

“My congratulations to Professor Bawany for his new books, Leadership in Disruptive Times. This is a significant book, and its theme is overdue, particularly when severe disruptions are brought about by the recent Covid-19 pandemic. When times are good, solutions often come easy and straightforward. However, when rapid changes brought about by unexpected disruption, it is not clear if a solution even exists, let alone a good one. It takes an exceptional leader who has experienced disruptive times before to offer us insights and visions to move forward, and quality to be an effective leader. Readers will benefit enormously from Professor Bawany’s new book, and it is my firm belief that this pioneering book will be acknowledged as classic textbook/reference in leadership in disruptive times.”

Sattar Bawany

5 of 5

“All of a sudden, a deadly pandemic is at the centre of unprecedented worldwide disruptions. Inadvertently, the Covid-19 has left organisations with little or no choice but to take the big leap towards digitalization. Prof. Sattar Bawany’s latest book on ‘Leadership in Disruptive Times’ is a timely sequel to his first publication, ‘Transforming the Next Generation of Leaders: Developing Future Leaders for a Disruptive, Digital-Driven Era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0)’. In his latest offering, Prof. Bawany recognised the need for organisations to include digital leadership competencies for them to successfully implement transformative initiatives in a highly disruptive environment. He also examines the attributes and competencies of disruptive leadership as they manoeuver through the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 and the post-pandemic digital transformation in meeting the needs of the new normal. In developing successful organizational leadership in the new world order, this book provides valuable guidance and direction on the future way forward.”

Sattar Bawany

5 of 5

“I am pleased to share that we have received very positive feedback from the participants for the 2 workshops for our Singapore Management Team. Generous amounts of information were shared, as well as dialogues for brainstorming sessions. Everyone had a refreshed outlook at different leadership styles and there was a lot more collaboration. In terms of delivery style, they felt that the facilitator was engaging and the programme was well structured. It also provided relevant tools and knowledge that can be applied in their respective business and professional situations scientifically and practically. Overall, the programme exceeded their expectations. Thank you for contributing to the development of our team and I look forward to future collaboration with you in terms of our learning needs.”

Sattar Bawany

5 of 5

“From my observations, having attended the various sessions and most importantly from the participants’ feedback, Prof Sattar Bawany is a terrifically engaging, knowledgeable, and inspiring Master Facilitator and High-Performance Sales Coach. His approach to personalizing sales, business development, and relationship-building activities, paired with the easy-to-digest and contemporary, practical, and highly workable solutions, has resonated well with the participants whose success is reliant on establishing trust with their clients and future business partners. The highly proven leadership development framework and tools will add value and bring about creative insights to any strategic business situation. I would strongly recommend Prof Bawany as the Facilitator and Executive Coach to any organization that requires sales training or a managerial leadership development program.”

Sattar Bawany

5 of 5

“The ‘Leadership That Gets Results’ program begins with a focus on self-awareness and the fundamentals of how leaders and organizations operate. It includes a powerful framework for understanding the leaders’ role in sustaining organizational performance and productivity, as well as introducing ways to intervene in and improve two fundamental types of company results that are critical for operating a successful company. The program uniquely puts into words many of the concepts that my senior leadership team across Asia Pacific deeply knows to be true. Now, having these concepts (including Emotional Intelligence Frameworks) in the forefront of my mind, I am a much more confident and careful communicator and in leading and engaging my leadership team towards achieving organizational results.”

Sattar Bawany

5 of 5

“There is no doubt in my mind that this leadership development program would not have been as successful without the benefit of Prof Sattar Bawany’s excellent facilitation and delivery skills. Our leadership team was a bit hesitant at the initial mention of “consultants,” but they soon discovered that he did not tell us what to do; rather, he led our senior leadership team and me through a process of learning and analysis, helping us to develop a sense of self-awareness in each of us. Most importantly, because of the impactful program content, we have learned how to effectively lead, develop, and coach our people and ensure that our workforce is aligned with the company’s direction. As a result, we were better equipped to handle the tough market challenges that followed and are in a better position for greater sustained growth in the future.”

Sattar Bawany

5 of 5

“The team of leadership development consultants and facilitators led by Prof Sattar Bawany has successfully sent across to our team the importance of leadership effectiveness on organizational success and taught the team how to develop their emotional and social intelligence skills, which is also in line with our internal training on the importance of emotional intelligence (EI) as a crucial element to deliver the best service to our guests. The break-out sessions and the personal follow-ups have been highly effective. The team’s commitment to the objectives originally set has translated into an engaging and positive course that has had an impact on the team. I have only received positive feedback from the team; it was a great learning experience for all of them. Thank you once again for the excellent dedication, flexibility, tactful approach, and passion in the communication of this course.”

Sattar Bawany

5 of 5

“As a former Chief Operating Officer, I found that the experience and insights gained during our C-Suite Executive Coaching engagement have successfully brought out the best leader in me to guide my team in performing their role with high motivation and clear goals. Today, as the Group Chief Financial Officer of Pos Malaysia, I find myself well-equipped and prepared to face any challenges in managing the people as well as stakeholders, especially during the current economic situation. No doubt the intensive research, resources, and vast coaching experience have contributed to my leadership effectiveness, and it is creating a chain of positive reactions throughout the organization. As such, I would highly recommend Prof Sattar Bawany as an Executive Coach to any organization that is looking into enhancing its leadership capabilities and developing and transforming its senior management team from ‘good to great’.”

Sattar Bawany

5 of 5

“The highly customized CEO Executive Coaching program helps the coachee to perform and transform, rising to the challenges of today and maximizing the future opportunities facing the organization. You have been able to draw on the richest portfolio of assessment tools and combine proven methodologies with a highly tailored approach to meet the needs, expectations, and preferences of the coachee. It’s a powerful combination that gives you an unmatched ability to enhance the coachee’s leadership effectiveness. It is undeniable that your flexible and objective approach, with the right balance of support and challenge, enabled the coachee to see a clearer path both in solving leadership issues and achieving her leadership and professional development goals. We would without qualification recommend you as an outstanding CEO Executive Coach.”

Sattar Bawany

5 of 5

“Prof Sattar Bawany’s coaching style was very engaging, and the sharing of your in-depth knowledge of leadership made the sessions very authentic and helped me understand my leadership style. You were incredibly insightful on the skills I need to acquire and improve to succeed as an executive leader. I appreciate your availability to be a sounding board for complex and strategic decision-making when challenging changes occur in my hospital. It sharpened my strategic thinking and improved my articulation of thought processes and stakeholder management. I have benefitted immensely from your coaching and have been using these skills to enhance the care I provide for my staff and patients. I pray that you will continue to bless and inspire new executive leaders with your coaching abilities to be incredible leaders and contribute to making the world better for all.”

Sattar Bawany

5 of 5

“The high-intensity, comprehensive 2-day leadership development program leveraged on the Best Practices in High Performance leadership & Sales Performance Coaching to accelerate AHIBB’s revenue growth against today’s business strategy and prepare to deliver tomorrow’s sustainable business results. A value add was the ad-hoc inclusion of a contextualized case study. This was to assess the pitching skills of the sales team to a potential client, adopting the tools/ framework from the program. Participants found this immensely helpful and inspiring as the PGCEO himself participated as a judge. Prof Sattar Bawany’s flexibility to be able to tailor the program to fit our needs was outstanding. I would highly recommend you as the Executive Coach and this program to any organization seeking to raise leadership standards and organizational excellence.”

Sattar Bawany

5 of 5

“The C-Suite Master Executive Coach has provided me with the understanding and tools to make informed decisions about my future, managing key relationships and the future of our business in my new leadership role. His guidance through the process of diagnosis and prompting me to focus on solutions to problems or managerial leadership challenges allows me to be effective in my current and future leadership roles. In all my interactions, he has been able to demonstrate the uncanny ability to quickly identify the salient points of any situation and partner with me in formulating a strategy to achieve the best possible outcome. I was able to develop a plan to achieve my desired results quickly. These strategies proved highly successful, enabling me to focus more of my time on driving the business.”

Sattar Bawany

5 of 5

“The coaching process provided a trusted and structured space for reflection, honest feedback, and purposeful action. Through your professional guidance, I was able to develop a clearer understanding of my leadership strengths and growth areas, and more importantly, translate these insights into tangible changes in my daily leadership practice. On a personal level, this journey has deepened my growth mindset and proactive leadership approach. I feel more confident in navigating complexity, leading through uncertainty, and inspiring my team to work cohesively towards shared objectives. These capabilities have contributed to a stronger alignment of KTPH’s broader mission of clinical and leadership excellence. I am grateful for the professional and insightful coaching support that you have provided. The impact of this engagement has been both immediate and enduring, equipping me with the resilience and adaptive leadership skills needed to serve my team, my patients, and the wider healthcare community more effectively.”

Sattar Bawany

5 of 5

“Based on our various interactions and mentee feedback, it is amply clear that the engagement was highly value-adding regarding self-reflection about leadership styles and learning techniques to adapt them based on different people and situations. Your open, honest, direct style of interaction has been very helpful in quickly gaining relevant insights. At the same time, your support in sharing and applying critical tools to manage different levels of influence and impact has also helped shorten the learning curve in the coachee’s leadership development journey. I am very confident that this c-suite executive coaching engagement will help immensely in driving incremental value not just for the c-suite leader’s contribution to march confidently towards driving and delivering AstraZeneca’s bold ambition to make more meaningful difference to many more Indonesian patients with our innovative science and medicines. I would highly recommend your service to anyone keen on tailored c-suite executive coaching engagements for senior leaders who need to hone their leadership style to manage the emerging complexities in today’s uncertain business and people environment and drive exceptional results. Thanks again for your deep commitment and support.”

Sattar Bawany

5 of 5

“As my Executive Coach, Prof Sattar Bawany has quickly become a confidant who I could trust to give an open and very honest assessment of my strengths and areas of development, advice on how a senior leader needs to position himself, and insight into the myriad of insurmountable challenges both current and yet to be encountered. His sound advice on how to resolve issues at the board and senior management level, how to implement these changes, and coaching on how to build relationships and drive focus in the company were excellent. The result was an increase in self-confidence and a sharper focus on what can make a difference to the business. Prof Bawany acts as a dynamic sounding board, not merely reflecting thoughts and ideas but challenging them and subtly molding them in such a way that woolly uncertainty is transformed into crisp focus, backed by the confidence that the way forward is both achievable and enhancing for both myself as the coachee and the organization.”

Sattar Bawany

5 of 5

“The practical case studies and important lessons you impart across the intensive modules, together with the systematic and fact-based approach of the program, allow for a deep understanding of the best practices and the pertinent leadership practices that can be immediately applied to our daily work. The learnings are not just critical to our organization’s digital transformation needs, but also each participant’s professional and personal leadership development. I would recommend DLI for any organization looking to develop its senior leadership team. The lessons are practical and the learning profound. The program has put us in good standing to deliver on our responsibilities as leaders, as we push forward through challenges and embrace new opportunities that the digitally charged era of Industry 4.0 offers us.”

Sattar Bawany

5 of 5

“Prof Sattar Bawany has a very effective coaching style and approach. First and foremost, it comes across that he takes the coaching engagement very personally – there is a very strong vested interest in ensuring the coachee succeeds. Certainly, the breadth of his experience is impressive and provides a very good perspective for the senior leader whom he coached and transitioned to his new regional senior leadership role. There is certainly a case to be made about learning from the best, and he has this unique ability to distill learnings from the best-in-class leaders globally and pass that on in his coaching program. There is no doubt that my leader has benefited greatly from his experience with Prof Bawany as his Coach. I have seen my leader improve in all areas. I have no hesitancy in recommending DLI and Prof Bawany as a top-tier professional C-suite executive coach to any client keen on engaging him for a similar assignment.”

Sattar Bawany

5 of 5

“I engaged Prof Sattar Bawany as my Executive Coach to help me think through and strategize an important leadership transition within my organization. His very coach-centric approach helped me anticipate the challenges that would arise and recommend best practices on how to manage those challenges. He can quickly get to the core of issues and have an extensive set of actionable recommendations. Working with him has amplified my strengths and addressed my key development areas. Each coaching session has left me with valuable insights and new leadership strategies I could implement immediately, which include new approaches to difficult conversations to new ways to inspire my team.”

Sattar Bawany

Rated 5.00/5 based on 19 customer reviews

Keynotes

Keynote by Sattar Bawany:

CRISIS AND DISRUPTIVE LEADERSHIP IN A VUCAD WORLD

As the world becomes more complex and connected, the threat of a corporate crisis grows. There are instances everywhere: we have experienced first-hand how when a pandemic spreads worldwide, it causes massive global business disruption and a public health disaster; a corruption scandal causes a corporate leader to step down; the sudden death of a CEO without succession planning in place; a data breach shakes customer confidence; quality issues trigger a widespread product recall. These are just a few examples among many of the recent corporate crises.

In this keynote session, Professor Sattar Bawany articulates why the right leadership is critical for organizations to thrive in a disruptive business environment. In an era where crises are no longer episodic but continuous, the traditional leadership playbook no longer suffices. Leaders must now embrace agility, resilience, and innovation to navigate constant disruption. Prof Bawany’s keynote on this topic also addresses:

  • The anatomy of a crisis and how leaders should respond in real-time.
  • Characteristics of disruptive leaders and how to cultivate these traits.
  • Strategic decision-making under uncertainty and complexity.
  • Leading through the lifecycle of disruption, from reaction to recovery to reinvention.
  • Case studies of companies and leaders who thrived amid crises.

Attendees will walk away with a clear roadmap for building personal and organizational resilience, equipped with proven tools for navigating chaos with confidence and clarity.

Request a quote: Sattar Bawany CRISIS AND DISRUPTIVE LEADERSHIP IN A VUCAD WORLD

Keynote by Sattar Bawany:

AUGMENTED LEADERSHIP: HARNESSING AI FOR SUSTAINABLE ORGANIZATIONS AND HIGH-PERFORMING PEOPLE

Artificial Intelligence is not just transforming business processes, it’s reshaping what it means to lead, to perform, and to build organizations that last. As AI evolves from a tool to a strategic partner, today’s leaders face a critical challenge: how to lead humanely and strategically in an AI-augmented world, ensuring both organizational sustainability and elevated employee performance.

In this thought-provoking keynote, Professor Sattar Bawany unpacks the seismic shifts that AI is triggering in the leadership landscape. Far from replacing leaders, AI demands a new kind of leadership, one that is data-informed, values-driven, and deeply human. He will explore how forward-thinking leaders can integrate AI not just to automate, but to amplify human potential, foster innovation, and build organizations that are resilient, inclusive, and purpose-led.
Key focus areas include:

  • Leading with augmented intelligence: Blending human judgment with machine insights for smarter decisions
  • Driving sustainability through predictive AI: Anticipating risks, managing resources, and optimizing impact
  • Enhancing employee performance: Using AI to personalize development, reduce burnout, and boost engagement
  • Redesigning leadership mindsets for the AI era: From control to collaboration, from process to purpose
  • Creating ethical frameworks for trustworthy AI integration in the workplace

This keynote challenges leaders to reimagine not just how they use AI, but how they lead with it, ensuring a future where both organizations and their people can thrive together.

Request a quote: Sattar Bawany AUGMENTED LEADERSHIP: HARNESSING AI FOR SUSTAINABLE ORGANIZATIONS AND HIGH-PERFORMING PEOPLE

Keynote by Sattar Bawany:

FROM DIGITAL NATIVES TO HUMAN-CENTERED INNOVATORS: SHAPING FUTURE LEADERS FOR INDUSTRY 5.0

As the world moves beyond automation and into the age of Industry 5.0, where technology and humanity converge, a radical transformation in leadership is underway. The future belongs to those who can lead with empathy as well as efficiency, intuition as well as intelligence, and values as well as vision.

This inspiring keynote by Professor Sattar Bawany delves into the urgent need to redefine leadership for a new era, one where human-centric innovation, collaborative intelligence, and purpose-driven transformation are the cornerstones of progress.

Industry 5.0 demands more than digital fluency, it calls for leaders who can harness emerging technologies like AI, robotics, and quantum computing while staying deeply attuned to the needs of people, the planet, and future generations. Prof Bawany presents a compelling case for reshaping leadership pipelines and cultivating next-gen leaders who are adaptive, ethical, and visionary.

Key takeaways include:

  • Core competencies for Industry 5.0 leadership: from technological acumen to emotional intelligence
  • Creating human-machine synergy in decision-making and team dynamics
  • Designing leadership development ecosystems that are agile, inclusive, and future-ready
  • Equipping emerging leaders to manage sustainability, innovation, and social impact
  • Case studies of organizations pioneering next-gen leadership transformation

This keynote is not just a roadmap, it’s a rallying call for organizations to future-proof their leadership strategy, and empower a new generation to lead with courage, compassion, and creativity in an era defined by unprecedented change.

Request a quote: Sattar Bawany FROM DIGITAL NATIVES TO HUMAN-CENTERED INNOVATORS: SHAPING FUTURE LEADERS FOR INDUSTRY 5.0

Keynote Sessions Presented by the Disruptive Leadership Institute LLC (DLI)

Watch Sattar Bawany in action!

Non-binding request for Sattar Bawany

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