SANA'A - Unless you arrived at least one hour before his seminar started, you were probably left standing for two hours to listen to him. Dr. Ibrahim Elfiky, PhD, chairman of the Canadian Training Center for Personal Development, who spoke last week in Sana'a, is, as advertised, one of the most famous speakers on Personal Development in the world.
During his two seminars organized and hosted by the Skills Center for Training and Development in Sana'a, hundreds of people flocked to hear him speak, more than half of them women. The Yemen Observer met with the renowned personal guide in an exclusive interview to learn more about the scientist and his science.
Q: First of all, we would like to know more about the significance of this science of "Human Development". What is it?
A: We are talking about personal development. The main point to consider is that every human being wishes to achieve their full potential. We are always looking for ways to improve the quality of our lives. The key idea of personal development is that all people wish to develop themselves to the maximum of their ability.
This raises a question though: Do I know my ability? We open up personal horizons, so we began to discover who we are. When you do, and you discover your power, then comes Question #2: What should I do with it, and where do I move from here?
In my opinion, there are four kinds of people. First, those who have no idea where they are going. Second are those who know what they want but have no idea how to get there. The third is very dangerous: They know what they want, they know how to get it, but they don't believe in themselves. They have a deeper psychological problem. The fourth is those who believe in themselves, they know how to achieve their goals, and they never give up until they reach them.
When I first brought this concept of personal development to the Middle East, I knew that we [the Arabs] have an excellent academic background. Even so, if an Arab finds a seminar advertised in a newspaper, he probably will not attend. People in New York, on the other hand, are constantly attending seminars teaching selling strategies, for instance, from expert lecturers.
People need personal development to supplement their academic knowledge. All strategies for personal development are based on two things: curiosity and modeling. Curiosity is the desire to discover new things. Modeling is imitating the attitudes and actions of those who have achieved excellence.
A fantastic example of modeling can be seen in Japan. After WWII, they were devastated and had no natural resources, yet in ten years they became the number one producer of textiles.
To sum up, when you buy a car and take time and care to adjust it to your personal needs,
this is the idea of personal development.
Q: How did you start with this science - what are the rules adopted by Dr. Elfaky?
A: I started with this science when I was the general manager of a hotel in Montreal. My background was in the hotel industry, which requires more studying than any other profession. I was in charge of 2,000 employees and was meeting thousands of customers every year. In order to succeed in this environment, knowledge of communication skills was vital.
So, about 20 years ago, I discovered Neurolinguistic Programming, which at that time was only taught in New York. When I began to study Neurolinguistic Programming, I found that it is based on human mentality. I was the only general manger with that diploma. I was equal to any doctor in psychology. I had a lot of information and I started writing books. That is where I started from. I then earned my PhD in Metaphysics.
Q: This science was born in the States and Canada. If we talk about the audience it attracts, how can you compare between the audience here in our region and there?
A: As a matter of fact, I find that people are more intelligent here in the Middle East, if they take the initiative to act as individuals.
The biggest difference is that in the US and Canada they are used to these ideas. In the newspapers and on TV, people are constantly talking about personal development. This does not exist in the Arab world.
When I came here, I realized the Arabs need heavy content but there they need concepts. We are still in the development phase here. Because I will take, I will love it, I will take it aside, and I will go back and do it myself. There they put things immediately into action. This is what we do here. Here the difficulties are after the training, not during the training.
Thanks to God, things now are improved, and we may be equals to abroad. In my seminars I can see thousands of people. Personal development in the Arab world is developing, and Arabs are looking for something better.
Q: From the seminars we attended with you, people appreciated the way you relate this science to spirituality and establishing a better relationship with God. Do your colleagues, the non-Muslims, adopt the same approach of connections? How can you introduce the same concepts to different cultures and religions?
A: It could be. If you attend a seminar for somebody who is a Christian and he is religious, you can consider him spiritual. I know several of the best professors who are spiritual and do it the same way.
You see, the difference is, I will take it and go further into my belief. I will bring it here to you, and that will mix with your values. So I will not bring something here and talk like outside. I present that thing in their market, because you speak a people's language and understand their values, hopes and perceptions. This is what made my first year here in the Middle difficult for me. It was the adjustment phase, but now people understand.
There has been a lot of development over the past 13 years. Personal development is everywhere right now, and that is why I am here.
Q: How big was the challenge?
A: The challenge was very big when I first came. Now there are only three countries that I have not yet visited in the entire Arab world. This is proof that we have brought the idea of personal development everywhere. The only countries missing are Libya, Sudan and Lebanon.
Q: If you are asked to locate yourself among the international professors in the field, where do you fit in?
A: I am the most handsome of all! But seriously, we are different. Each one of us is different. God created all of us different. When I came out in the international market, let's say with the book on psychology I brought out, it was the first book carrying excellent ideas in psychology. I was the first in my category in the marketplace.
The second thing I did was on national television. I got on national TV in Montreal and I challenged major phobias and trauma.
Even before I came to the Middle East, I had my own style, my own energy. I think you have seen me in the seminars. It is not just a seminar, it is a show. I reach deep into people's minds and hearts. I make people laugh and enjoy themselves. They learn without even realizing that they are learning; they just feel that they are having fun.
Q: When exactly did you start in the Middle East?
A: About 14 years ago.
Q: Where did you find people most responsive?
A: When I first came here, it was difficult. They were receptive to some degree, and yet some of my ideas were rejected. We must bear in mind that it was an entirely new concept. People are only willing to accept change when it is in accordance with their values. They will not blindly accept everything you tell them.
I then had to prove myself, not the technology I was using. It took me two years. And now I am not alone. We are thousands of trainers and thousands of learners.
Q: Did you expect this level of success in Yemen before your arrival?
A: Give it a month and see what's going to happen here. Although to be honest, I am not surprised.
Firstly, I often appear on big TV channels all over the Middle East. I have given over 2,000 interviews. I also have five shows myself and they are broadcast everywhere. People know me through my publications, seminars and the many shows. Secondly, I have many customers and people sending me emails from Yemen. So I knew that it would be a big success.
I have three people from Yemen certified from us.
Q: Have you ever been challenged by religious scholars about what you are doing?
A: I have met with about 90 of them. Some of them are very open-minded and some are eager to discuss new ideas. I am personally very spiritual and very religious.
When we sit together, we discuss to learn and take the ideas and mix with what I do. So there is no threat in what I do.
There are no contradictions; we speak the same language. You have seen me using the spiritual side. It is in me.
Q: How long did it take to come to Yemen?
A: It took us one year to arrange everything. I have a very busy schedule. Before I go to any country, I do my own homework and research about the people. I try to learn about your culture and values in order not to make a mistake. I wouldn't say something that may offend you. I always ask about the religions of the countries I visit.
It took about a year to study all about Yemen due to the busy schedule and time commitments. But as for Yemen, I know it very well. It is mentioned in the Qur'an.
Many Yemeni people who have contacted me have said that it was very courageous of me to come to Yemen. Why? It is another country and another part of my family. It was only a question of timing.
Q: Do you have any future plans for Yemen?
A: The most interesting thing I want to do is to develop trainers. Good trainers will continue to work inside the country. I am here now, and it will never be the same again. Hundreds upon hundreds of people watch TV, hear about personal development and continue hearing about it.
Q: What will be you next destination?
A: We are going to the Emirates. We are going to open a branch of the Canadian Training Center for Personal Development in Sharjah. The next stop is Syria, and then back to Canada.
Q: Can you tell us about your personal discoveries?
A: I discovered two technologies. At least Arabs should have something registered worldwide as intellectual property under my name. One of them is Neuro Conditioning Dynamic, NCD. I also brought Neurolinguistic Programming to the Middle East about 15 years ago. NCD is very powerful stuff, as far as personal development is concerned.
The second is Lessons in Life. It is about the way you organize your life and your time to the best effect.
Q: How many books have you published?
A: About 30 in English and French, and we have 10 in Arabic coming soon.
Q: Your advice as we conclude?
A: The only thing I would like to end with is not to give you the advice, but to open up your horizons. From now, this very moment. Get a piece of paper and a pen and write down your goals. Let your pen go. As you write them down, list them according to their priorities. And every single day, do something that gets you closer to your goal. This minute could be your last moment. Live with love with everybody, and especially love with God. Live with attitude, especially the attitude of the Prophet, peace be upon him. Live with faith; live with action and patience. And never, ever underestimate the value of life.
© Yemen Observer 2004
