1. Disappearing to Pray Salah
The Mistake: Muslim leaders may leave to pray multiple times during the day without informing or educating their team, which can unintentionally create a reputation of unavailability or disengagement. Non-Muslim employees may wonder where the leader is going or why they are constantly stepping away.
The Solution: This doesn’t mean one should compromise on their religious obligations. Instead, leaders should create transparency by informing their team about prayer times and the significance of Salah.
Educating the team builds understanding and respect for these breaks. Setting clear expectations about availability during work hours and even offering a clear schedule helps prevent confusion or frustration. By explaining the significance of these short breaks, you also build an atmosphere of inclusion, where religious practices are respected without disrupting the workflow.
2. Excluding Non-Muslim Employees from Key Social or Team-Building Events
The Mistake: Sometimes, Muslim leaders may unconsciously plan or focus social events around Islamic traditions (like Eid celebrations or Ramadan iftars) without thinking of how non-Muslim employees might feel left out or isolated. This exclusion can reduce team morale and create feelings of favouritism.
The Solution: While it’s important to celebrate religious events that are meaningful to you, it’s equally important to create an inclusive environment. When planning team-building events, ensure that they’re accessible and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of their religious background.
For example, if organising an iftar during Ramadan, encourage non-Muslim employees to join in the spirit of community. You can also balance these events with non-religious social gatherings where all employees feel equally involved. Making a conscious effort to include everyone helps build a united and loyal team.
3. Focusing on Brotherhood/Sisterhood at the Expense of Accountability
The Mistake: Muslim leaders often create a strong sense of brotherhood or sisterhood in the workplace. While this can create a tight-knit, supportive team, it can also blur professional boundaries and lead to a lack of accountability. Employees may feel they can avoid consequences or neglect performance because they are “part of the family.”
The Solution: Brotherhood and sisterhood are valuable, but leaders need to balance this with clear expectations and accountability. To avoid this pitfall, make sure you create structured feedback and performance evaluation systems. Establishing clear metrics for success, regardless of personal relationships, helps maintain fairness.
Remember that holding employees accountable for their work is a form of support in itself, as it pushes them to grow and achieve their potential. Leadership means striking the right balance between compassion and responsibility.
4. Not Providing Support for Non-Muslim Employees During Ramadan
The Mistake: During Ramadan, Muslim leaders might inadvertently overlook the needs of their non-Muslim employees while focusing on their own fasting and religious practices. As a result, non-Muslim employees might feel neglected or unsure how to accommodate fasting colleagues without feeling awkward.
The Solution: As a leader, it’s important to be aware of the dynamics in your workplace during Ramadan. Make an extra effort to communicate with non-Muslim employees about how the workplace might adjust to accommodate fasting schedules, such as avoiding food-centered meetings or offering flexible working hours. Encourage an open dialogue, so your non-Muslim employees know they can ask questions or seek clarification without fear of being insensitive.
Supporting everyone during Ramadan, not just those who are fasting, promotes an atmosphere of inclusion and mutual respect.
5. Letting Islamic Modesty Blur Communication Boundaries
The Mistake: In line with Islamic values of modesty, some Muslim leaders may find it challenging to engage in direct communication with colleagues of the opposite gender. This can lead to misunderstandings, or worse, alienation, especially if women or men feel they are being treated differently based on gender, not competence.
The Solution: While Islamic values regarding modesty are important, leaders must not let these values hinder professional communication. It’s essential to communicate clearly and effectively with all employees, regardless of gender. Create a respectful but open environment where all team members feel valued for their skills and contributions.
If you feel uncomfortable with certain interactions, set professional boundaries in a way that’s consistent with your faith while still being inclusive. Transparency and direct communication go a long way in building trust within the team.
Who I Am and Why I Coach
Leadership is not something that happens overnight. My journey to becoming a leadership coach began in the pharmacy industry. My name is Imran, and here is my story.
After earning a Master’s in Pharmacy from Aston University in Birmingham, I worked as a locum pharmacist for several years.Â
One day, I was approached by a pharmacy chain’s head office and offered a manager’s position at one of their 49 branches. I was honored and excited, especially since I’d worked at that branch before and felt comfortable with the team.
However, stepping into the role of a manager was much more challenging than I expected. Being a good pharmacist didn’t automatically make me a good leader. In fact, it became quickly clear that I lacked the leadership skills needed to manage the team effectively.Â
With no immediate support from the company, only a generic leadership course months away, I found myself navigating a toxic work environment filled with complaints, conflicts, and team dissatisfaction.
Instead of waiting for outside help, I decided to tackle these challenges head-on. Over time, I developed the people skills and leadership techniques that transformed not only the pharmacy but the team’s dynamic.Â
Two years later, we won the company’s gold award for best pharmacy, a testament to how far we’d come as a team. That success marked a turning point for me, it was the spark that ignited my passion for leadership coaching.
Now, I help other leaders avoid the struggles I faced. I want your leadership journey to be smoother than mine, where you’re not left guessing how to navigate complex team dynamics or motivate employees.
My Coaching Philosophy
As a Muslim, empathy has always been at the heart of my leadership style. Growing up, I was taught the importance of treating others the way you want to be treated, and that value remains central to how I lead and coach today.Â
By showing empathy and being vulnerable with your team, you create an environment of trust and respect. In my experience, this is one of the most powerful ways to connect with people, build stronger teams, and create lasting loyalty.
My coaching is grounded in helping leaders master five key areas: leadership communication, time management, goal setting, decision-making, and employee retention. Mastering these areas not only leads to personal success but also helps you lead your team with calm, confidence, and clarity.Â
It’s about creating a work environment where people are motivated, productive, and proud to be part of your organisation.
How to Work With Me
I offer tailored workshops to organisations, large and small, that focus on these core leadership principles. Whether it’s improving leadership communication or enhancing employee retention, I create customised programs to meet the specific needs of your organization.Â
My workshops are available both online and in-person, depending on what works best for your team.
If you’re interested in improving leadership within your organization, click here to book a free discovery call with me, and let’s discuss how I can help you achieve your goals.
You can also find me on social media for more free content packed with value:
A Special Offer for TMV Readers: Free Leadership Growth Toolkit
As a reader of The Muslim Vibe, I’m excited to offer you something special. Leadership is an ongoing journey, and having the right tools and strategies is key to success. That’s why I’ve created a FREE leadership growth toolkit, TMV readers, designed to help you level up your leadership skills and see immediate impact in your organisation.
In this toolkit, you’ll find:
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By downloading this toolkit, you’ll not only gain valuable knowledge but also get a glimpse into my coaching style and the value I bring to leaders like yourself.
How to Get It: Simply click here to download the mini-course, and start your leadership transformation today.
If you’re looking for even more personalised guidance, I’d be happy to work with your organisation directly. Book a free discovery call here, and let’s discuss how I can help improve leadership within your team.
