Believe in “Why?”: The Purpose-Led Journey of Imad ul Malik

Imad ul Malik is a leader who believes that clarity begins with asking the right questions. Educated in Lucknow and now based in the UAE, his career reflects steady growth built on purpose, consistency, and thoughtful decision-making.  Anchored in his belief that purpose begins with asking “Why?”, Imad has shaped his professional journey around understanding intent, creating value, and leading with meaning.

Imad’s early years in Lucknow, India, played a formative role in shaping his outlook. His schooling instilled discipline, curiosity, and a habit of looking beyond the obvious. Even then, he was inclined to question how things worked and why decisions were made the way they were. This curiosity later evolved into a professional philosophy that continues to guide him across leadership roles.

As his career progressed, Imad moved to the United Arab Emirates, where he built a strong presence in the financial services sector. Over the years, he developed deep operational expertise, a clear understanding of complex markets, and a leadership style grounded in responsibility and long-term thinking. His professional journey has been marked by steady advancement rather than shortcuts, shaped by experience, learning, and consistency.

Today, Imad ul Malik holds a senior leadership role at Sharaf Exchange, one of the UAE’s established financial services organisations. In this role, he has been closely involved in operational leadership, business expansion, and strengthening service delivery. His focus has remained on building reliable systems, improving efficiency, and ensuring that teams understand not just what they do, but why they do it.

Those who work with him often describe his approach as structured and people-focused. Imad believes leadership is about direction and clarity. He places strong emphasis on empowering teams, encouraging accountability, and creating an environment where individuals feel trusted and aligned with organisational goals. This approach has played a key role in sustaining growth and stability across operations.

Imad’s contributions have been recognised through multiple awards and professional acknowledgements over the course of his career. These recognitions reflect consistent performance, leadership standards, and a commitment to doing things the right way. For him, awards are not endpoints, but reminders of responsibility and the need to continuously raise the bar.

Beyond professional achievements, Imad ul Malik is known for his thoughtful and reflective nature. In conversation, he comes across as someone who reads extensively, with a clear appreciation for books and poetry. This habit of reading is evident in his measured communication and depth of perspective. Poetry, in particular, offers him a space for reflection and balance, complementing the demands of leadership.

Outside of work, Imad enjoys dune bashing, finding the desert both energising and grounding. The vastness of the landscape, he feels, offers perspective and discipline – qualities that resonate deeply with his leadership mindset. He is also an avid listener of music and values the quiet moments it brings. Most importantly, spending quality time with his family remains central to his life, offering balance and purpose beyond professional responsibilities.

At the core of Imad’s leadership philosophy is a belief in purpose-driven action. Often described as a transformational CEO, he believes in the purpose behind every initiative. This mindset ensures that decisions are intentional, aligned, and meaningful rather than reactive or routine.

When asked about his advice to the younger generation, Imad keeps it simple: “Always think big. Be positive.” He believes that a constructive mindset and big-picture thinking play a critical role in long-term growth. According to him, growth begins when ambition is matched with belief and discipline.

From his early days in Lucknow to his leadership journey in the UAE, Imad ul Malik’s story is one of quiet determination and purposeful growth. It is a reminder that meaningful success is built not by chance, but by clarity, curiosity, and the courage to ask the right questions.