For the first time, IPLOCA hosted a dedicated NextGen Day, bringing together 16 NextGen members in Mallorca for a focused and inspiring experience designed to foster learning, connection, and forward-thinking leadership.

The CCC delegation included Saji Khoury, IPLOCA President; Ramzi Abunemreh; and Dr. Mustafa Abusalah.

The day was guided by Dr. Mustafa Abusalah, Group Manager, Project Control Systems and Processes at CCC, who led an engaging and highly interactive workshop focused on leadership, organizational awareness, and the often-unseen dynamics that shape decision-making within complex projects.

His sessions challenged participants to look beyond formal structures and develop a deeper understanding of the human and informal factors that influence outcomes. Key themes included:

• The “Shadow Organization”: Organizational charts reveal only part of the reality. Informal networks, alliances, and personal relationships often influence decisions as much as formal authority structures.
• Formal vs. Informal Power: Participants examined how influence flows through both official reporting lines and informal channels built on trust, shared experience, and personal connections.
• The “Balcony vs. Dance Floor” Perspective: Effective leadership requires the ability to step back from day-to-day execution, the “dance floor,” and observe broader patterns from the “balcony,” enabling more informed and strategic decisions.
• Emotional Intelligence and Stakeholder Awareness: Understanding emotions, motivations, and unspoken concerns is essential for influencing stakeholders and navigating complex project environments.
• Teamwork and Adaptive Collaboration: Through practical exercises, participants explored trust, communication, agility, and continuous improvement as essential pillars of high-performing teams.

Beyond the workshop, the day was equally focused on building relationships and strengthening the NextGen network.

In the afternoon, participants experienced Mallorca’s cultural heritage through a guided visit to the iconic Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma, La Seu, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture overlooking the Mediterranean. Illuminated by its magnificent rose window and shaped by centuries of history, the cathedral offered a moment of reflection and inspiration that complemented the themes of perspective and insight explored earlier in the day.

This was followed by a stroll through the vibrant streets of Palma, where history, culture, and modern energy converge, before the day concluded with a dinner that allowed conversations to continue in a more relaxed and personal setting.

It was during these moments of discussion, shared experience, and new connection that the true spirit of NextGen came to life. Participants left energized, inspired, and aligned on the importance of continuing such initiatives. The overwhelmingly positive feedback reinforced the value of creating dedicated opportunities for the next generation of industry leaders to connect, learn, and grow together.