Leadership Beyond Borders: A Western Executive's Guide to the Iraqi Business Mindset

by Midhat Zwayen

Western leaders face significant challenges when conducting business in Iraq, from navigating cultural differences to overcoming ingrained misconceptions. In Leadership Beyond A Western Executive’s Guide to the Iraqi Business Mindset, Midhat Zwayen delivers a powerful guide to overcoming these obstacles with culturally attuned leadership practices.

Drawing on his extensive experience in Iraq’s private sector and international collaborations, Zwayen highlights the critical role of servant leadership, cultural sensitivity, and flexibility in achieving sustainable success. This book offers practical tools to bridge cultural divides, mitigate risks, and foster mutual understanding between Western and Iraqi stakeholders.

With a unique blend of historical analysis, experiential insights, and actionable strategies, Zwayen demystifies Iraq’s sociopolitical landscape, presenting an invaluable resource for executives, project leaders, and policy makers. Whether you’re seeking to expand your business or promote democratic values, Leadership Beyond Borders provides the roadmap to success.

Genres: Nonfiction

180 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 14, 2025

Reviews

[AMR CAMI · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

Leadership Beyond Borders offers a meaningful account of global leadership in an ever-connected world. The author looks at the capacities of cultural intelligence, empathy, and flexibility - the three key capacities of modern leaders currently undertaking diverse teams and international challenges. Zwayen, a professional in his own right, complements theory and real-world examples that demonstrate how genuine and lasting leadership welcomes collaboration across borders and recognizes leadership not limited by borders.
This book is refreshing in its emphasis on inclusive leadership and self-awareness. Instead of sending readers to subscribe to one style of leadership, it urges readers to cultivate a mindset that is habitually inflected with curiosity, respect, and open communication. The writing is practical, measured, and even more relevant for leaders in business or aspiring leaders.
Leadership Beyond Borders reminds the reader to lead with intention, authenticity, and a truly global attitude.

[Ivana S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leadership Beyond Borders is a compelling and much-needed guide for Western professionals aiming to build meaningful, effective relationships in Iraq’s complex business environment. Author Zwayen writes with authority and empathy and offers readers a balanced mix of personal experience, cultural insight, and practical leadership tools. What stands out most is his emphasis on servant leadership—something many Western executives may overlook when entering unfamiliar territories.
As a reader, you’ll appreciate how the book breaks down barriers and misconceptions, helping you understand not just the what, but the why behind Iraqi business behaviors. It reads more like a conversation with someone who’s been there and genuinely wants you to succeed. Whether you're in government, corporate leadership, or international development, this book will challenge your assumptions and equip you with a roadmap for respectful and successful cross-cultural leadership.

[Lina Perea · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to do business in Iraq?

This is a book that anyone who manages, owns, or plans to manage and expand a business should read.
The book focuses on Iraq, clearly and concisely outlining the key points to consider when negotiating in this country or with Iraqi companies.
Beyond its focus on Iraq, Leadership Beyond Borders , by Zwayen is an eye-opening guide to the aspects that must be taken into account when negotiating with cultures and beliefs different from one's own. It's also an excellent guide for understanding which aspects to consider and avoiding wasting time on irrelevant ones.
This is a very important topic today, especially as negotiation barriers are diminishing. It's a pleasant and easy-to-understand read.
It's a book that can be recommended with the confidence that it will be well-received and a great help.

[Steven Finkelstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are many Westerners who want to conduct business of one kind or another in Iraq. Often, though, they run into cultural problems that they might not even realize are hampering their efforts. They may offend someone or conduct themselves in a way that is perfectly permissible in the states, but that will instantly put them in the doghouse with their new colleagues or contacts.

This book explains the most common ways that foreigners run into problems in Iraq when they come there for business purposes or when they open up communications with Iraq-based individuals or companies. If you plan to do business there but don’t know much about the culture, you should definitely consider this to be required reading.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can say that Leadership Beyond Borders made me reflect deeply on my own leadership and communication style. I understood that leading beyond borders doesn't mean imposing a style, but rather learning to read other people's cultural codes and building trust from there. This book is definitely an interesting guide for those who want to lead with cultural sensitivity and purpose, especially in times that demand genuine collaboration. Personally, this reading reminded me that authentic leadership knows no borders: it begins with the humility to listen and the willingness to understand. Midhat Zwayen achieves something extraordinary: speaking directly to Western leaders to connect through empathy, respect, and openness. Recommended.

[ZebraDebra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leadership Beyond Borders is a very important guide for western leaders who are interested in doing business in other countries, in particular in Iraq. The book explains how Iraqi mindsets and social dynamics work. This allows western leaders to engage in successful business practice in Iraq as well as in other countries. A lot of the advice given by this author can also be applied in other parts of the world, but for anyone who intends to work with Iraqi business leaders, this book is priceless. It is clearly written and has excellent information that looks at each detail of sociopolitical factors in Iraq. With strategies that can be applied in this context, Leadership Beyond Borders is a must-read.

[Mayra Guayara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical.

What stands out most about this work is its human approach. Zwayen presents leadership as an opportunity to serve, connect, and build bridges between different ways of thinking and working. Through real-life examples and profound reflections, the author demonstrates that success in international contexts, such as Iraq, depends not only on strategy, but also on the ability to understand people and respect their culture. This book is especially valuable for those who work in multicultural environments or seek to strengthen their emotional intelligence as leaders. Its teachings are not limited to the business world; they also apply to any field where communication, trust, and cooperation are essential.

[Sommer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leadership Beyond Borders: A Western Executive’s Guide to the Iraqi Business Mindset by Midhat Zwayen is a quick but eye-opening read for anyone trying to understand how business really works across cultural lines. The book breaks down the differences between Western leadership habits and the relationship-focused approach common in Iraqi workplaces. Zwayen explains how trust, respect, and personal connection often matter more than contracts or formal titles, and he uses real examples to show how misunderstandings happen — and how to avoid them.

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this in a Goodreads giveaway. I learned a few things about Iraq that were interesting. I am not in international business but I like to enter all the giveaways because it forces me to read a book I wouldn’t otherwise read.

[AMAO · Rating 5 out of 5]

💯💯💯💯💯