Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Emaar Properties and the developer behind landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall, has praised Indian professionals for what he described as the strongest work ethic globally.

Speaking at the Make It in the Emirates summit, he said his preference for hiring Indian talent is driven by their consistency, dedication, and willingness to go beyond standard expectations. He highlighted that many Indian employees remain reachable even at unusual hours, which he sees as a reflection of their strong sense of responsibility and commitment.

"The harder you work, the luckier you will get. There's a saying, hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard, and this is why I like to hire Indians, because they answer the phone even at one o'clock in the morning," he said, according to Gulf News. 

Alabbar argued that business success depends less on intelligence and more on sustained effort, discipline, and attention to detail. He stressed that hard work is not simply about long hours, but also about carefully assessing opportunities, taking calculated risks, building strong teams, and executing plans effectively.

Quoting his own outlook, he said that while he considers his IQ to be average, he places greater value on hard work and persistence. He also referred to the idea that consistent effort can outperform talent when talent is not fully applied.

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He further explained that resilient companies are those that remain alert, continuously reassess risks, and maintain steady performance even during uncertainty. Reflecting on major disruptions such as the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, he noted that businesses must learn from past shocks to build more agile and robust operations.

Alabbar added that during recent crises, Emaar focused on protecting its workforce by maintaining job security and stable salaries, decisions shaped by lessons from earlier downturns. He concluded that a company’s long-term reputation ultimately depends on how it treats its people during difficult periods, with trust and stability forming the basis of lasting success.