We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nagham Alsamari a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Nagham, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

Imkan Leadership Development was founded on a simple, powerful belief: leadership is practiced, not just talked about, and it is made, not born. This belief sets us apart because it underpins everything we do—from our approach to client engagement to the outcomes we help our clients achieve. While many firms in the industry focus on leadership theory, Imkan is dedicated to fostering the real-world skills and mindsets that leaders need to thrive, inspire, and drive lasting impact.

One way we diverge from industry norms is by focusing deeply on resilience as the cornerstone of effective leadership. Rather than offering standardized solutions, we begin each client partnership with the DISC assessment, a tool that allows us to truly understand the personalities, communication styles, and unique dynamics within their teams. But we don’t stop there. This foundation helps us customize every development plan, creating solutions that reflect each client’s values, culture, and specific needs. At Imkan, DISC is more than a box to check—it’s a way to unlock the authentic potential of every leader we work with.

Imkan, meaning “possibility” in Arabic, speaks to our mission of helping leaders unlock their potential and build resilient, adaptable teams. Our programs blend practical training with personalized coaching, equipping clients with the skills to communicate clearly, lead with purpose, and turn challenges into opportunities for growth. We use hands-on workshops, DISC-based coaching, and tailored strategies to foster leaders who don’t just manage change—they shape it and use it as a catalyst for development.

One of the core distinctions in our approach is our commitment to looking beyond surface-level symptoms to uncover the true root causes of issues. While many consultancies might apply temporary “band-aid” solutions, we dig deep, asking why something is amiss and addressing the real needs of our clients. By doing so, we build foundations that don’t just solve a problem but empower teams to thrive well into the future.

Imkan Leadership Development exists to help leaders, small business owners, and non-profit teams navigate change with resilience, drive, and clarity. By connecting deeply with each client’s mission and creating solutions that reflect their unique values, we help them cultivate not only strong leaders but also vibrant, purpose-driven teams. At Imkan, we’re here to support your journey, helping you not just face change, but master it with resilience and vision.

Nagham, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Nagham Alsamari, founder of Imkan Leadership Development, an organization built on the belief that leadership is practiced, not just discussed, and that it is made, not born. My journey into leadership began in education, where I served as a teacher, mentor, and eventually a principal. These roles gave me a profound understanding of resilience, adaptability, and purpose, inspiring me to create a business that brings these values to other leaders and organizations. Imkan, which means “possibility” in Arabic, represents our commitment to creating meaningful, lasting change by fostering the strength within each team and individual.

Imkan Leadership Development offers coaching, DISC-based assessments, training workshops, and keynote speaking—all designed to help leaders build thriving, purpose-driven teams. One of our core tools is the DISC assessment, which we use as a foundation to understand team dynamics and individual communication styles deeply. This insight allows us to create strategies that support authentic communication, stronger relationships, and sustainable growth. Whether you’re a small business owner, a non-profit leader, or an emerging executive, our services are customized to meet you where you are and guide you in building resilience and clarity within your team.

What sets Imkan apart is our commitment to digging deeper. Where many consultancies may apply standard methods or offer “band-aid” solutions, we focus on uncovering the root causes of challenges. We aren’t just helping leaders tackle immediate issues; we’re creating frameworks that foster long-term growth and adaptability. By adopting a big-picture perspective, we empower our clients to create environments where their teams can truly flourish.

I’m proud of the impact Imkan has had on clients who began with challenges in team cohesion or internal dynamics and ultimately found clarity and purpose through our work together. Each engagement is more than a project—it’s a partnership with leaders who are passionate about driving positive change. Leadership, to me, is about resilience, purpose, and a commitment to lifelong learning, and it’s a privilege to support clients on this journey.

From an early age, I saw the world a bit differently, observing situations through my own lens. I didn’t fully understand it at the time, but as I grew older—and perhaps a bit wiser—I realized that my inquisitive nature was shaping my approach to problem-solving and resilience. This unique perspective became the foundation of my career and ultimately the driving force behind Imkan Leadership Development.

Imkan is more than a business; it’s the culmination of this early curiosity, evolved into a service-centered approach that empowers leaders to face challenges with clarity, adaptability, and purpose. This journey from youthful curiosity to grounded expertise has been incredibly rewarding, and it’s my mission to bring this approach to leaders ready to inspire positive change in their teams and communities.

Throughout my career, I’ve always believed that genuine leadership begins with understanding the unique needs of each individual. As a teacher, I adapted lessons to fit my students rather than rigidly following the curriculum, despite expectations from the principal, district leadership, or the state. Every student brought their own abilities, perspectives, and circumstances to the classroom, and they needed that recognition to succeed. This approach stayed with me as I transitioned to school principal, district trainer, and finally CEO of Imkan Leadership Development. At Imkan, I continue to emphasize this philosophy, tailoring strategies to each client’s unique circumstances, so that we create environments that foster growth, resilience, and purpose-driven success.

At Imkan, we are committed to making a meaningful difference by empowering leaders not just to “manage” their teams but to inspire them, align them with a vision, and equip them with the tools to face any challenge with resilience and purpose.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Certainly! One of the most defining moments of resilience in my journey came from my experience moving to the United States as a refugee. I arrived here at 13, facing an entirely new culture, language, and way of life. Learning English, navigating a new school system, and finding my place were all daunting challenges, but these experiences also became my foundation.

Early on, I learned that resilience isn’t just about enduring; it’s about adapting and transforming. Each step, from learning the language to excelling in my studies and then building a career, was a testament to resilience and adaptability. This journey taught me that resilience requires perseverance but also humility and a willingness to learn from every challenge. Today, as a leader and business owner, I draw on these experiences to help others overcome their own obstacles, supporting them to find strength and growth amid change.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

One pivotal moment in my career came when I transitioned from teaching in the classroom to taking on a leadership role as a curriculum coordinator. As much as I loved being in the classroom and working directly with students, I realized I could make a broader impact by supporting teachers in their development. Initially, it was difficult to step away from teaching. I’d always seen myself as someone who would be in the classroom for years to come, guiding young students personally.

But with encouragement from my family, especially my husband, who saw leadership potential in me before I did, I made the pivot. This role allowed me to coach and mentor teachers, influencing not just individual students but the entire learning environment across the school. It was a challenging but incredibly fulfilling shift that opened up new avenues for growth and led me to eventually take on roles in school administration, where I could drive change on an even larger scale.

This pivot taught me the power of trusting your journey, even when it takes unexpected turns, and the importance of courage in stepping into new roles that allow you to serve and lead in different, yet impactful ways.

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadwithimkan/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nagham.alsamari
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nalsamari/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Leadwithimkan