The late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founding Father and first President of the UAE, once said, “He who does not know his past cannot make the best of his present and future, for it is from the past that we learn. If a man knows the past, he will, too, understand the present and will from that understand what lies ahead in the future.”

Reflecting on tomorrow’s 44th UAE National Day reminded me of these words. More specifically, it made me reflect on how the UAE built such a powerful future in such a short period of time.

Ever since its inception in 1971, the UAE has been focused on — dare I say obsessed with — developing leaders from within. You could also say it’s had no choice.

On the Unification Day of December 2, 1971, a joyful, celebratory mood permeated the air, with all the major families hosting special lunches and dinners. But President Shaikh Zayed focused on the tasks that lay ahead: How, he wondered, would the UAE handle its own affairs with no diplomatic service in place?

The British had taken care of all that before. Now that they were gone, who would replace them? The cabinet was to assume power without any formal government apparatus, established ministries, or government buildings. And no civil servants and no history of such national structures. It was a blank slate.

Shaikh Zayed decided to invite — really he put out an urgent request, largely passed by word of mouth — for all BA graduates from Dubai and the northern emirates to attend a meeting regarding positions in the Diplomatic Service. And all 25 men showed up.

Yes, you read that right only 25 people had a bachelor’s degree or higher (excluding doctors) in Dubai in 1971 (and only 45 in all of the Emirates).

Mirza Al Sayegh, who now works in the office of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and is a board member of Emirates National Oil Company Ltd (Enoc), was on his way to his first day of work with Dubai Petroleum Company when he heard the message. He decided to take a detour.

“I didn’t know what job or what salary we were being offered,” he told me as we sipped tea in his stately office in Jebel Ali. “It was a risk — but I went out of duty.”

Recognising the need to build capacity wasn’t limited to governmental roles. Immediately, the government began sending students around the world to get their university education to build future technical and, more specifically, leadership capacity.

People are the base of any civilisation, and the UAE rightfully chose to use its resources to drive people development for the future. Every year, more students are scattered across campuses around the world to learn from the best professors and then come back to help build their country.

By the 1980s, the UAE was getting a solid return on its investment in education. Talented and ambitious Emiratis were welcomed back with open arms. The best ones were identified, groomed and placed in leadership positions.

They were then watched to see if they could perform; if they did, they were given greater responsibilities.

We see in this example, exactly what every company should do – build talent for the future. But you must do it today! You cannot put this off.

The UAE knew it was growing rapidly and desired to continue to do so. To be able to, a handful of bachelor degree holders was insufficient.

More than the education level was the fact that a small nucleus had to grow at a faster rate than the economy was, as capacity and capability were the cornerstones for future growth.

I know from my work with my clients, and also from living in the region for so long, many businesses struggle with building future capability in time to be ready for the growth that’s coming. Instead of waiting for your growth to come before you develop your people, be like the UAE and grow the capability to bring the growth.

The writer is a CEO Coach and author, including his latest book ‘Leadership Dubai Style’. Contact him at tsw@tommyweir.com.