Abdullah Haddara: Why integrity matters in high-pressure construction work

Pressure is constant in construction, but Abdullah Haddara believes the real test is how leaders behave when things go wrong. As Co-Director & Head of Operations at Haddarco, Haddara oversees complex commercial projects where delays, procurement issues and shifting client expectations are part of daily life. For him, leadership starts with visibility and accountability rather than control.

"We’re definitely very hands on," Haddara says. "We’d definitely like to lead by example."

That philosophy extends beyond Haddarco’s internal team to consultants, contractors and suppliers working across each project. Rather than micromanaging, Haddara says the business creates room for people to contribute ideas, solve problems and learn through mistakes.

"I think the team tends to see that if the owner of the business is vulnerable in that aspect and he’s willing to put his hand up, it sort of feeds to the team," Haddara says on CEO: Behind the Scenes.

The mindset was shaped over years of wins, setbacks and lessons learned on site. One principle in particular has stayed with him throughout his career.

"It’s what you do when nobody’s watching that really matters," he says.

That idea now sits at the center of Haddarco’s broader operating philosophy. While many builders chase volume and razor-thin margins, Haddara says the company deliberately limits the number of projects it takes on each year so quality, communication and relationships do not suffer under pressure.

"We’re happy to do the three to four or five projects a year, as long as there’s a bit of meat on the bone and it gives us the flexibility as a business to sort of mitigate these risks," he says.

The approach becomes especially important during volatile periods across the construction sector. Haddara says risk management begins long before a project starts, with rigorous vetting of contractors and suppliers to ensure they align with the company’s standards and culture.

"At the end of the day, we want to ensure – and we make it clear to everyone who works under the Haddarco umbrella – that we’re here to deliver a project with the utmost integrity, honesty and to meet a particular standard," he says.

That transparency, he explains, changes the dynamic entirely. Contractors are paid on time, invited into planning discussions and treated as long-term partners rather than interchangeable suppliers.

"We invite them to our team barbecues, to our dinners," he says. "Everyone feels like they’re part of the team."

The same thinking shapes Haddarco’s client relationships. Because many of the company’s projects involve bespoke public spaces with complex requirements, Haddara says collaboration must begin from day one.

"Communication is key," he says. "Put your cards on the table. This is what it is. It’s what’s going on and this is how we can help you achieve what you’re trying to achieve."

Trust, he explains, is not built through polished presentations near project completion. It develops gradually through consistency, openness and visible follow-through when timelines tighten.

"If from day one you’re open and clear and you meet your target and you show that you’re trying to deliver a particular high standard, you slowly build trust with any client," he says.

Inside the business, that same emphasis on openness has helped shape team culture during demanding projects. Haddara says the company actively promotes work–life balance, creativity and open communication, even in high-pressure periods.

"We built our team motto, which is building with purpose," he says. "This is something that the team came up with."

The industry itself is entering a period of significant change and Haddara believes leaders who ignore AI and emerging technologies risk falling behind, particularly in design, estimating and project management functions.

"If you’re not ahead of the game, at least with the trend, it will creep up quite quickly," he says.

For Haddara, however, technology will never replace the fundamentals that sustain projects when pressure rises – honesty, adaptability and relationships built on trust rather than transaction.

Listen to the latest episode of our CEO: Behind the Scenes podcast with Abdullah Haddara on Amazon, Apple or Spotify.