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Inside IKEA’s Creative World: A Deep-Dive with Mohsinaa Ahmad and Design Head Luiza Jodziewicz

Welcome to a deep, engaging journey through the heart of IKEA’s design philosophy and leadership, inspired by my conversation with Luiza Jodziewicz, Regional Interior Design and Home Furnishing Directions Leader at Al-Futtaim IKEA. This episode of BOSS Talks with Mohsinaa Ahmad brings you closer to the creative thinking, cultural insights, and life lessons that shape IKEA’s spaces across the Middle East and beyond.

Sit back for an exploration crafted for design enthusiasts, aspiring professionals, and all those drawn to stories where creativity, empathy, and strong leadership drive real-world impact.

The Story Begins: Who is Luiza Jodziewicz?

Behind every iconic brand are leaders with stories worth sharing. Luiza Jodziewicz, a leading figure at IKEA for over 30 years, is one such person. Her expertise in interior design and brand-building stretches from Europe to the Middle East, touching stores, teams, and millions of customers.

Her foundation was shaped early: Luiza grew up in Poland, surrounded by the spareness of Polish tradition and the clean, purposeful Scandinavian design ethos. She always felt a unique pleasure in arranging, designing, and making the spaces around her both useful and inviting.

“From my childhood, I had this in my DNA, the love for creating functional and beautiful spaces. IKEA became the place where this love could become reality.”

After starting in visual merchandising and exhibition roles in Warsaw, Luiza’s IKEA journey began in 1995 as she joined the company’s Poland expansion team. Her rise was quick and sustained, she oversaw major store projects all across Europe, managed large creative teams, and eventually took the helm as Regional Design Head for Al-Futtaim IKEA in the UAE, bringing her skills to one of the world’s most dynamic markets.

Leading with Empathy: Why Function Comes Before Form

One message shines through my conversation with Luiza: Good design begins with people. Luiza’s philosophy is that beautiful spaces mean nothing if they don’t serve real lives first. “We always want beautiful interiors, but first, design has to be functional. It starts by knowing how people live—how they relax, eat, work, and gather. Only after you understand that do you layer on the beauty, colors, and décor.”

Instead of chasing trends, Luiza listens. She’s learned to observe life, whether in a Polish suburb, a Dubai high-rise, or a bustling office then adapt her ideas to serve those specific people. This empathy is what transforms IKEA showrooms into living, breathing environments.

Breaking New Ground: The Smart Home Project

One highlight of our discussion was the Smart Home project, an innovation at the intersection of lifestyle research and technology, in partnership with AFGRE. Every year, IKEA produces the “Life at Home” report a global study based on in-person visits, direct interviews, and observations to truly understand how people create their homes.

Luiza explained how this research helped design not just individual apartments for young professionals in Dubai, but also a new kind of community. “The idea was to create not just rooms, but a community. We collaborated with multiple experts to take our knowledge of how people live and use it to design both the inside and outside the entire building and shared spaces.”

These homes would offer smart tech solutions, lighting moods, music systems, digital controls, while focusing on helping people make genuine connections, not just fill a space with furniture. Although the pandemic impacted the project’s full scale, elements of these innovations now live inside IKEA’s Dubai stores, inspiring a new generation of customers.

Life and Adaptation: Finding Inspiration in Dubai

Luiza’s move from Europe to Dubai was more than geographic; it was a complete cultural shift.

“I moved here with little knowledge—just two suitcases and an open mind. Dubai’s rhythm is electric. Every day, something new is happening: new communities, new ways of life. It’s a constant inspiration.”

She finds fuel for creativity not only in work or trends but in everyday experience from the calm of Emirati tradition and hospitality to the diversity of friends, colleagues, and customers she meets in the UAE. This inclusive environment, she believes, “rewards curiosity.”

Outside work, Luiza keeps herself energized and inspired through nature and movement, motorbike trips to the mountains, time near lakes, and even simple people-watching in a city café.

“Routine gets work done, but the best ideas come when you step away, do something different, see things from a new perspective.”

Leading Through Collaboration and Realism

A key topic in our talk one that resonates for anyone in a creative or leadership role is the art of balancing dreams with real-world limits. Luiza acknowledges that young designers dream of endless, boundary-free projects, but the reality is different:

“When we start as designers, we dream of endless possibilities. But real projects have budgets, timelines, and client expectations. The magic happens when you thrive within those boundaries.”

She values teamwork above all. “Some of the best results come from sharing ideas and working together. When you collaborate, the outcome can exceed every expectation.”

As a podcaster in the MENA region myself, I see similar truths. Real breakthroughs happen when ideas are shared, not shielded; when we adapt, not insist; when our work serves the many, not the few.

Achievements That Matter: Community, Culture, and Mentorship

Luiza’s influence at IKEA is both strategic and personal.

Store Projects and Expansion: She managed the look and feel for IKEA stores across multiple countries, introducing new concepts that align global IKEA branding with local cultures from bedrooms designed for Emirati families to majors retail transformations for customer-centric flow.

Home Furnishing Design Academy: Luiza launched this in-house training platform to equip a new generation of designers and visual merchandisers, ensuring IKEA’s creative leadership continues well into the future.

Campaigns and Exhibitions: Under her direction, IKEA’s presence at major events, commercial campaigns (like “Ramadan” and “Kings & Queens”), and pop-up spaces at Dubai Design Week delivered innovative experiences that resonate deeply with their audiences.

For Luiza, design leadership is not just about spaces or products it’s about mentoring others, guiding teams, and respectfully adapting to changing needs.

Practical Wisdom for Creative Leaders

Throughout our conversation, Luiza shared advice that’s as grounded as it is inspiring:

Start with People: Design for others, not yourself. Everything begins with the user, their needs, wants, and aspirations.

Be Open and Curious: Embrace new trends, methods, and cultures. Often, you’ll start “on the ground,” doing foundational work before becoming a master.

Communicate Boldly: “Selling your vision to clients or teams is as important as what you design.” Confidence and clarity build trust.

Work Hard: There are no shortcuts in creative careers, effort, iteration, and resilience pay off

Celebrate Teamwork: Collaboration leads to surprising, elevated results and a broader impact.

These lessons, drawn both from Luiza’s experience and echoed in the ethos of BOSS Talks with Mohsinaa Ahmad, are central to building a meaningful career, no matter your industry.

The IKEA Experience: Not Just Stores, But Stories

What sets IKEA apart isn’t just its products, but the experience, whether in a bustling Dubai showroom or a quiet European town. Every display, every campaign, every team is rooted in understanding: Why do people need this? How will they use it? What can make their lives brighter and easier?

Design at IKEA is a form of storytelling. “Each room, each collection, tells a story customers can imagine themselves in,” Luiza notes. As a podcast host, I see a parallel in every human-focused episode I produce the real transformation begins and ends with empathy and connection.

My Reflections: What I Learned from IKEA's Designing Head

Discussing design, leadership, and adaptation with Luiza Jodziewicz offered me, as a Dubai-based podcaster, much more than insight into retail strategy it became a masterclass on the humble power of listening, constant learning, and thinking globally while acting locally.

It’s clear why BOSS Talks has become one of Dubai’s top leader podcasts. It is the honest, energetic voices of leaders like Luiza, sharing their journeys, setbacks, and triumphs that inspire audiences throughout the MENA region and beyond.

Watch the Full Podcast!

For a deeper dive into creative leadership, design strategy, and personal growth, with stories, laughs, and practical advice, watch the full episode of BOSS Talks with Mohsinaa Ahmad featuring IKEA’s Regional Interior Design Head, Luiza Jodziewicz, on my official YouTube channel:

Final Thoughts

Luiza Jodziewicz’s career is a testament to creativity, commitment, and the art of nurturing talent and communities across continents. Her journey proves that real leadership happens when we put human needs at the center when we listen, learn, and adapt, both in design and in life.

Through Dubai’s top leader podcast, BOSS Talks with Mohsinaa Ahmad, I hope her story inspires you to pursue work that reflects your passions, elevates your teams, and, above all, makes the world a more welcoming place for everyone.

Thank you for reading and be sure to tune in for more inspiring conversations with leaders who are shaping the future of the MENA region and beyond.

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Óscar Arias Sánchez: A Life Devoted to Peace, Justice, and Humanity

Introduction: Why Óscar Arias Matters Today

In a world where headlines are dominated by conflict, division, and the search for justice, few figures stand out as beacons of hope and practical wisdom. Óscar Arias Sánchez, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and two-time President of Costa Rica, is one such leader whose legacy continues to inspire generations. As the host of the Self Discovery Podcast, I, Mohsinaa Ahmad, had the rare privilege of sitting down with President Arias for a candid conversation about his journey, his vision for global justice, and what it truly means to build a culture of peace.

This blog is both a deep dive into Óscar Arias’s extraordinary life and a reflection on the insights he shared with me—insights that are more relevant than ever in today’s turbulent times. If you’re passionate about peacebuilding, ethical leadership, and the future of global justice, this is a story you won’t want to miss.

Early Life: The Roots of a Peacemaker

Óscar Arias Sánchez was born on September 13, 1940, in Heredia, Costa Rica, into an upper-class family that valued education and public service. His academic journey began at Saint Francis College in San José, followed by a brief stint at Boston University in the United States, where he initially intended to study medicine. However, Arias soon realised his calling lay elsewhere and returned to Costa Rica to earn degrees in law and economics from the University of Costa Rica. His thirst for knowledge took him to the United Kingdom, where he attended the London School of Economics and later received a doctorate in political science from the University of Essex in 1974.

These formative years were crucial in shaping Arias’s worldview. Exposure to different educational systems and political climates gave him a unique perspective on the interconnectedness of global issues, a perspective that would later inform his approach to peacebuilding and diplomacy.

The Political Rise: From Scholar to President

Arias’s political career began in the 1970s when he joined Costa Rica’s National Liberation Party, a centre-left party with a strong commitment to social democracy. His early roles included serving as Minister of Planning, where he honed his skills in governance and policy-making.

In 1986, Arias was elected President of Costa Rica at a time when Central America was engulfed in violent civil wars, fueled by Cold War rivalries and foreign intervention. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Arias refused to allow Costa Rican territory to be used for military operations by foreign powers, most notably the United States, which was supporting the Contras in neighbouring Nicaragua. He also held the Sandinista government accountable for its own shortcomings in democracy and human rights.

The Nobel Peace Prize: A Plan for Lasting Peace

Arias’s most enduring legacy is undoubtedly his role as the architect of the Esquipulas II Peace Agreement, a bold initiative designed to end the bloodshed in Central America. His plan called for:

The removal of all foreign military presence in the region

An end to support for antigovernment guerrillas

The implementation of democratic reforms and free elections

Safeguards for human rights

A commitment to social reconstruction and development

Despite intense pressure from powerful interests, including the U.S. government, Arias remained steadfast in his vision. In August 1987, the peace plan was signed by the leaders of Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua, marking a turning point in the region’s history

For his tireless efforts, Óscar Arias Sánchez was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987, with the Nobel Committee citing his “work for lasting peace in Central America”. Arias used the monetary award to establish the Arias Foundation for Peace and Human Progress, further cementing his commitment to human rights and development.

A Second Term and Continued Advocacy

After his first presidency, Arias remained a vocal advocate for peace, human security, and sustainable development. He returned to the presidency from 2006 to 2010, continuing to champion policies that prioritized education, healthcare, and poverty reduction over military spending. His belief in the abolition of military forces as a pathway to peace influenced not only Costa Rica but also inspired movements in other countries.

Throughout his career, Arias has received numerous accolades, including the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism and roles with organizations like Economists for Peace and Security and the International Criminal Court’s Trust Fund for Victims.

The Self Discovery Podcast: A Conversation with Óscar Arias Sánchez

As the host of the Self Discovery Podcast, I, Mohsinaa Ahmad, have had the privilege of engaging with thought leaders from around the world. My conversation with Óscar Arias was nothing short of transformative. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most powerful moments from our discussion.

On the True Meaning of Peace

I asked President Arias: “As someone who has championed peace on an international scale, what do you believe is the most pressing issue facing global justice today?”

His response was as direct as it was profound:

“We have lived under that old Roman axiom that if you want peace, prepare for war. That is nonsense. It is idiotic; it has no justification. If you want peace, spend more on weapons and soldiers. That is not the way. We need new values, because with new values come new priorities, and military spending should not be a priority for governments. Instead of spending money on weapons and soldiers, we need to solve the real problems of humanity—education, healthcare, culture, reducing poverty, and building the infrastructure that will allow for stronger economic growth and a better quality of life for our people.”

This message is a wake-up call for leaders everywhere. Arias challenges us to rethink the very foundations of security and justice, urging a shift from militarization to human development.

On Humility and Recognition

We also discussed the impact of international recognition, such as the Nobel Peace Prize, on personal growth and wisdom. Arias shared a candid reflection:

“Many people think that when someone is given the Nobel Peace Prize, they suddenly gain a lot of wisdom. But the truth is, that’s not how it works. Real wisdom isn’t found in awards, but in staying grounded—no matter how much the world celebrates you.”

This humility is a hallmark of Arias’s leadership style. Despite global accolades, he remains deeply connected to the everyday struggles and hopes of ordinary people.

On Building a Culture of Peace

One of the most compelling segments of our podcast centered on the question: “What efforts could be done at a global scale towards achieving lasting peace?”

Arias’s answer was both practical and visionary:

“We need to build a culture of peace and that is the responsibility of journalists, high school teachers, university professors, religious leaders, and politicians. But unfortunately, that idea has remained a utopia, one I’ve been fighting for almost alone. There are many NGOs around the world working against nuclear weapons, but there are no governments truly convinced of this cause. Compassion and love should be the predominant values in today’s world.”

His call to action is clear: peace is not just the responsibility of politicians or diplomats, but of every sector of society. It’s a collective journey that requires a fundamental shift in values.

Key Takeaways: Lessons from Óscar Arias for Today’s Leaders

Throughout our conversation, several themes emerged that are crucial for anyone interested in peacebuilding, leadership, and global justice:

Invest in People, Not Weapons: Arias’s advocacy for redirecting resources from military spending to education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation is a blueprint for sustainable peace.

Humility Over Recognition: Awards and honors are meaningful, but true wisdom comes from staying grounded and curious.

Collective Responsibility: Building a culture of peace requires the engagement of educators, journalists, faith leaders, and civil society—not just governments.

New Values for a New Era: The world’s current challenges demand a reevaluation of the values that guide our policies and priorities.

Why This Conversation Matters: The Relevance of Arias’s Legacy

As global conflicts continue to dominate the news, Óscar Arias’s life and message are more relevant than ever. His insistence on nonviolence, democracy, and human development offers a roadmap for a more just and peaceful world. For those of us working in media, education, or leadership, whether in India, Costa Rica, or anywhere else, his example is both inspiring and actionable.

Watch the Full Podcast: Self Discovery Podcast x Óscar Arias Sánchez

If you’re ready to dive deeper into these powerful ideas, I invite you to watch the full conversation with Óscar Arias Sánchez on the Self Discovery Podcast, now available on Hindustan Times YouTube.

Final Thoughts: Carrying the Torch Forward

As I reflect on my conversation with Óscar Arias, I am reminded that peace is not a destination, but a journey—one that requires courage, humility, and unwavering commitment to human dignity. Whether you are a policymaker, educator, activist, or simply someone who cares about the future, Arias’s story is a call to action.

Let’s continue the conversation. What values do you believe are essential for building a just and peaceful world? How can we, as individuals and communities, contribute to the culture of peace that Óscar Arias has championed for decades?

Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to the Self Discovery Podcast for more inspiring conversations with global changemakers.

This blog is part of the Self Discovery Podcast series hosted by Mohsinaa Ahmad.