Dr. Khaled Ghattass

With a vast social media presence and distinctive approach, Dr Khaled Ghattass emerges as a true leader whose determination, tenacity and dedication are evident in all his endeavours. He is a thought leader, author, speaker, human behaviour specialist and above all, a remarkable human being. 

Dr Khaled feels that personal experiences truly shape a leader, how you interact with these experiences and the opportunities life gives you helps you discover your leadership potential. He says, “But for that, you need deep, varied, and broad personal experiences and the ability to reflect on them. It's not just about things happening to you as if they didn’t; it’s about sharp personal experiences and your ability to look at them, reassess, and learn from them. Reflection allows you to test your abilities through real-life feedback and honest, genuine personal trials—not pretending or claiming things that aren’t true.” 

Dr Khaled's educational background began in science when he completed a BSc in Analytical Chemistry from Beirut Arab University in 2005 and then joined the American University of Beirut (AUB), where he graduated with a Master’s degree in Organic Chemistry (Drug Development) in 2008. One year later, he decided to join the ongoing battle between scientific research and cancer, earning a PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology (Breast Cancer Metastasis) from AUB in 2013. In 2015, he moved to Madrid, Spain, to pursue another Master’s degree in International Business Administration (MBA) at the renowned IE Business School. In 2018, he completed the “Strategy in Complex Environments” program at Cornell University. 

In December 2021, he completed the Certificate of Management Excellence, studied Authentic Leadership Development and Behavioral Economics, and Aligning Strategy and Sales in the executive education program at Harvard Business School. In November 2022, he completed the “Brains and Guts of Decision Making” program at Stanford Business School. In December 2024, he completed the Certificate of Management Excellence, studied Authentic Leadership Development and Behavioral Economics, and Aligning Strategy and Sales in the executive education program at Harvard Business School.

A firm believer that a person should live life from all its angles, and being a scientist doesn’t limit him from writing or doing anything else that aligns with his message. His goal is to understand people and help them in every way possible, whether through research, writing, lectures, or any other approach that genuinely benefits others. He doesn’t think there’s one path; as long as it’s for the good of people, he is open to exploring and contributing in whatever way feels right.

Dr Khaled’s entire approach has always been driven by a deep desire to connect with and truly understand people. Even when he chose to study biology, it wasn’t just about the science; it was about uncovering what happens inside a person. He says, “However, humans are not just biological beings—they are complex, influenced by social interactions, emotions, and environments. To fully grasp human nature, you must go beyond biology and explore other fields like sociology and business. Each perspective adds a new layer of understanding, helping to see the bigger picture and gain deeper insights into human behaviour.”

Having a diverse educational background and scientific knowledge has helped him understand what he sees in life from different perspectives. Unlike someone with just one point of view, he can look at things from multiple angles. This variety of tools allows him to interpret reality in a deeper way. Expanding his knowledge across different fields gives him a broader space to understand people better. He continues, “It’s not just about seeing things one way; it’s about connecting the dots from different disciplines to get a clearer and more complete picture of the world and the people around me.” 

Talking about the title “Hypocrisy is Beautiful", Dr Khaled says, “The title aims to reflect itself—it's the title of the first story, which talks about the overcrowding of identities and how we've lost touch with who we really are. Hypocrisy is well-defined, but we struggle to grasp ourselves in a tangible way because our identities and standards have melted away, blending into each other.” 

Touting artificial intelligence and technological advancements as something that has seen a heavy upheaval, he believes that we’ll need to focus more on healing human beings. He feels that in his field, understanding people, their behaviours, and how societies change will be at the forefront in the next twenty years. He projects, “There will be a growing need to understand humans from both a biological and social perspective, especially with the rapid changes happening around the world. This will be particularly important in the Middle East and the Arab world, where societal shifts will require a deeper understanding of human nature to navigate the evolving landscape and its challenges.” 

Dr Khaled is known to blend humour, sarcasm, and deep insights, which makes his session thoroughly engaging and insightful. He feels that this is who he is, and he loves to joke around. He learned this trait from funny teachers and movies. Since he grew up in the streets, he is extremely street-smart. This could be the reason behind his unconventional approach, which is that he tries not to overcomplicate or sound philosophical. He firmly remarks, “The world is full of philosophers sitting in ivory towers, talking about society as if they’re above it all. But that’s not my style; I’m all about being real and authentic."

Throughout his career, he has been honoured by the Arab Media Forum in Kuwait, the Arab Media Forum in Dubai, the Conference on Money, Investment, and Women in Erbil, the Kalam Madina Forum for Arab influencers, and the Lebanese Ministry of Culture for his ongoing achievements. 

Dr Khaled shares his wisdom with the audience and says, “A person should do their best to hold on to their essence and not let the noise of the world pull them away from their true life. Real life is clear—it’s who you are as a person, your family, your parents, siblings, children, and your own dreams. It’s about your relationship with your faith and your God. When you protect yourself from all the external noise, you stay connected to who you really are.”