In this episode of Mistakes Over Failure, Fares Akkad (YPO Emirates Integrated), Managing Director, Meta Middle East & Africa, shares a sweeping journey shaped by global perspective, startup turbulence, and reinvention. From surviving the dot-com crash to building and exiting a successful e-commerce venture, Fares reflects on early missteps that sharpened his resilience and long-term thinking.

The conversation explores what it truly means to lead in a rapidly evolving, AI-driven world. Fares emphasizes that future leaders must prioritize creativity, cultural intelligence, and human connection over purely data-driven decision-making. He unpacks the importance of localization, understanding human motivation across cultures, and building trust through authenticity.

At its core, this episode is about releasing perfectionism, embracing forward motion, and recognizing that setbacks often serve a larger purpose — fueling growth, clarity, and ultimately, better leadership.