Speaker of the day: Olivier Lajous — Leadership & Change Management

Every day we spotlight one voice from the UnoMe network. Today: Olivier Lajous, Leadership & Change Management — one of the keynote speakers we recommend for corporate events and conferences in AlUla, Hawalli and across the GCC.

Who is Olivier Lajous?

Olivier Lajous — Admiral, expert in leadership, management, and organizational transformation

An Admiral (Vice-Admiral) and naval officer for 38 years, Olivier Lajous began his career as a national service sailor before rising to the highest levels of responsibility in the French Navy. With 17 years at sea and having commanded three warships, he was involved in numerous operational theaters (Afghanistan, Iran-Iraq, Lebanon, Libya-Chad, Yemen-Eritrea).

A graduate of the École de guerre, he served as Director of Communications, Director of Human Resources, and head of the Navy's Higher Education Center. Named HR Director of the Year in 2012, he continued his commitment as an advisor, chairman, and strategic committee member for organizations such as AFM (Association Familiale Mulliez), Decathlon, LNA Santé, Motul, and Nhood. Since 2012, he has been supporting executives and managers through keynotes and consulting missions within his firm.

Author of several reference books on management and change leadership, he shares a vision deeply rooted in real-world crisis management and organizational transformation.

🏆 Notable Achievements:

• Commanded three warships and led interventions in international crisis contexts.

• Director of Human Resources for the French Navy, named HR Director of the Year 2012.

• Chairman of the Management Board of BPI Group (2018-2019) and Mutuelle Nationale Militaire (2014-2016).

• Author of « L’Art de diriger ? », « L’Art de l’équilibre », and « DRH : le courage de l’humain », key reference works on management.

• Officer of the Légion d’Honneur, Commander of the Ordre national du Mérite, and recipient of numerous national and international honors.

Languages:

• French

🧭 Topics & Expertise:

• Crisis leadership

• Command and decision-making

• Team management in complex environments

• Cohesion and collective intelligence

• Organizational transformation

• Change management and guiding transitions

• Mobilizing teams around a shared vision

• People management inspired by military leadership

• Organizational resilience and navigating uncertainty

Olivier Lajous’s keynotes immerse the audience in the demanding world of maritime command, where decisiveness, courage, and collective intelligence are the keys to success. He draws powerful parallels between commanding a crew in times of crisis and corporate management, emphasizing team mobilization around a shared vision and navigating uncertainties. His perspective is highly sought after by leaders facing the challenges of transformation, cultural change, and team cohesion.