In a world where success often seems tied to loud titles and fast wins, Laila Abdelhak’s story is a refreshing reminder that quiet strength, deep empathy, and unwavering purpose can shape powerful change — especially in the workplace.
Born on October 31, 1992, Laila’s compass always pointed towards understanding the human mind. But like many, her early dreams were gently redirected by practical advice. Encouraged by her father to pursue business, she earned her BA in Business Management, setting foot on what appeared to be a solid and promising path. Yet, fate had different plans.
Finding Purpose in an Unexpected Role
Laila’s first job wasn’t in a big corporation or a high-paying firm. It was as a student guidance advisor — a role she hadn’t sought, but where a keen-eyed manager saw her natural ability to connect. It was here that Laila discovered her gift for truly listening. She wasn’t just giving out advice — she was becoming a safe space for students navigating stress, ambition, and uncertainty.
She didn’t stop there. Her creativity blossomed as she began organizing campus trips and student events, aiming to build community and encourage collaboration. These moments made her realize something deeper: empathy and support weren’t just helpful — they were powerful.
A Scholarship, A Shift, and a Spark
Driven by a quiet but persistent inner call, Laila pursued a master’s in Organizational Psychology — a field still emerging in the Middle East, especially in Saudi Arabia. A partial scholarship opened the door, and she walked through it with intent.
Unlike many who fall in love with theory, Laila’s passion was born from real-world observations — how employees were overworked, underappreciated, and often pushed to suppress their emotional responses. The lack of support, the stress of ambiguous tasks, and the blurred boundaries in family-run businesses — these weren’t just inefficiencies. They were wounds. And Laila wanted to heal them.
The Harsh Reality After Graduation
Armed with her degree, Laila was excited to bring her knowledge to the workforce in Jeddah. But reality hit hard. Organization after organization rejected her — not because she lacked skill, but because they didn’t understand what organizational psychology even meant.
Instead of giving up, she accepted an assistant position. The job was basic, yet ironically tied to her field — planning employee engagement activities and editing a company magazine. But the environment was toxic. Her manager’s remarks about her pregnancy being a “career obstacle” were not just unkind — they were a harsh reflection of workplace discrimination many women face.
Still, Laila didn’t let it break her. Instead, it fueled a fire in her to prove her worth.
The Rise of a Change Maker
With no one ready to hire her in her field, Laila did something bold — she worked for free. She took on an unpaid internship at a therapy center and later offered her services to different companies at no cost, just to show the impact she could make.
Her work spoke for itself. The culture shifts, the improved morale, the healthier workplaces — all of these became living proof of what organizational psychology could do. Slowly but surely, recognition came.
Today, Laila is no longer knocking on doors. She’s helping open them for others.
Changing Saudi Workplaces, One Employee at a Time
Now based in Saudi Arabia, Laila spends her days designing well-being programs and providing one-on-one support to employees. Her unique edge lies in her ability to understand the subtle psychology behind workplace issues — from poor leadership styles to damaging organizational structures.
When an employee comes to her feeling overwhelmed, she doesn’t just offer surface-level advice. She helps uncover the roots of their stress and helps them navigate it with practical, science-backed strategies.
But she also knows that support is a two-way street.
Change Begins with Choice
For Laila, lasting change isn’t something she can give — it’s something individuals must choose. “Imagine offering a lifeline to someone drowning,” she says. “Even with the best tools, if they’re not ready to grab the rope, change won’t happen.”
This insight shapes how she approaches her work. She first assesses whether someone is truly open to transformation — because her time and energy are best invested in those who are ready to grow.
A Vision for the Future
Laila’s dream goes beyond individual counselling sessions or employee programs. She envisions a future where the goals of an organization and the emotional well-being of its people move in harmony — not conflict.
In a region where mental health is still often stigmatized, she’s one of the voices leading the change. And she’s doing it not with fanfare, but with action — proving that when businesses invest in people, they don’t just build better cultures, they build better results.
Words of Wisdom to the Next Generation
If she could speak to her younger self — or to anyone feeling lost or boxed in — her message is powerful: “Don’t let others define your identity. Listen, learn, but walk your path at your pace. What seems impossible now might just need a different shape — your shape.”
Laila Abdelhak is more than an organizational psychologist. She’s a changemaker, a builder of bridges between people and purpose, and a symbol of what can happen when empathy meets expertise. Her story reminds us all that true leadership doesn’t always come from titles — sometimes, it comes from quietly choosing to care, again and again.
Follow Laila’s journey on Instagram: @laila.k.abdelhak
Email: laila92abdelhak@gmail.com
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