His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, sent a personal email to a number of government employees, signing it: “Your brother, Mohammed.”

The letter, sent to employees across several government departments, contained a series of lessons and recommendations that Sheikh Mohammed said future leaders should always bear in mind.

“The leader of the future does not have more time than others, but can shorten the gap between an idea and its implementation because they possess the greatest tool for saving time: artificial intelligence,” he wrote.

Sheikh Mohammed also stressed that history rewards those who act before achieving complete certainty.

“A good decision made today is better than a perfect decision made next month. In the past, making the wrong decision was the greatest risk facing any organisation. Today, the greatest risk is delaying a decision,” he wrote.

The message coincided with the UAE release of Sheikh Mohammed’s latest book, Letters. The Arabic edition went on sale at major bookstores on Friday for AED89, while the English edition is expected to be released on October 15.

Several government employees expressed their delight on social media after receiving the email. Emirati citizen Noura Al Hilali was among those who shared a copy of the message.

“In the UAE, when people contribute, serve or achieve something together, there is a culture of recognising those efforts,” she said.

“Receiving a personal letter from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid was special in itself, but seeing it signed ‘Your brother’ made it feel far more personal,” Al Hilali added. “It reminded me once again why my connection and loyalty to this country run so deep.”

A Letter to Public School Students

Last week, the Ruler of Dubai sent a similar email to public school students. Tailored to the younger generation, the message outlined Sheikh Mohammed’s expectations for the generation of the future.

Titled “A Letter to the New Generation”, the email highlighted the striking differences between today’s world and the past.

“You are growing up in a vast, interconnected world — one where there is no limit to learning, no shore to knowledge, and no borders for culture or the economy,” Sheikh Mohammed wrote.

“Your world is not like ours, your knowledge is not like ours, and your tools are not like ours. We expect your achievements to surpass our own,” he added.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s new book ranges from lessons on governance to personal reflections on marriage and family, addressing themes including leadership, justice, ambition, cities and the responsibilities that come with power.

Letters is the second instalment in the Lessons from Life series and comprises 26 letters addressed to his children, family members, team, citizens and readers around the world.

Drawing on nearly six decades of Sheikh Mohammed’s public service, the book reflects on the experiences, decisions and lessons that have shaped his approach to governance, leadership and nation-building.