Leading with vision: The Synergy approach to effective leadership

Manoj Sureka, CEO & Managing Partner, Synergy Fin. Consulting, is a recognised leader in the finance and investment sector, with over two decades of experience in Dubai. Sureka has built a strong reputation for his strategic foresight, and ability to foster sustainable business growth.

Prior to Synergy, he served as Head of Commercial Banking at RAKBANK and held key roles at institutions including Mashreq Bank, National Bank of Fujairah, and SREI Finance. He also serves as a board member and mentor to several companies across diverse industries.

At Synergy Fin. Consulting, the firm provides end-to-end fundraising advisory services through private equity, debt, and trade finance solutions. Their clientele includes SMEs and corporates seeking capital through banks, financial institutions, sovereign wealth funds, and other institutional investors. Synergy also offers specialised advisory in mergers and acquisitions and joint venture structuring.

Leadership, to me, is not about control - it’s about enabling others to rise. I strongly believe in building trust, maintaining clarity, and empowering people to think and act independently.

I see myself as a facilitator of growth - for my team, clients, and the businesses we serve. Every challenge is an opportunity, and I try to inspire that mindset within my organisation and with clients.

The transition from being an expert in banking and finance to becoming an advisor was a pivotal shift. Leading fundraising strategies for SME and corporates alike has taught me that agility, ethics, and relationship capital are just as important as financial acumen.

How do you approach building and retaining high-performance teams?

Three words: autonomy, accountability, alignment. I give my team room to experiment but hold us all accountable to results. It’s also important to align team members with the bigger picture - the “why” behind what we do.

My wife Varsha Sureka and my kids, Advay and Avyukt, are my pillars of strength. Their unwavering support, their patience through my long workdays, and their unconditional love fuel my passion and purpose every single day.

I want to be remembered as someone who helped others grow - someone who made capital more inclusive, who turned connections into collaborations, and who led with strategic clarity. Ultimately, leadership isn’t about titles - it’s about the impact you create.