What a Terrorist Attack Taught Us About Employee Engagement. Bravos Lab | Jan 20 | Media One Hotel | Dubai | UAE
We often say our people are heroes.
Resilient. Committed. Willing to go the extra mile.
But what if that’s not just a metaphor?
November 26, 2008, Mumbai
Coordinated terrorist attacks hit India’s largest city. One of the main targets was the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, owned by the Tata Group.
Here’s what happened:
- 500 guests were checked in
- 650 people were dining
- 600+ employees were on duty
- Staff were advised to evacuate
None of the staff left.
They stayed.
To protect guests.
To guide them to safety.
To lock doors.
To form human chains.
To make final phone calls.
15–20 employees gave their lives to save others.
Average age: early 20s.
No crisis manual.
No special training.
Just instinct.
Why Did They Stay?
That’s what a Harvard professor asked.
Not in search of heroism.
In search of leadership lessons.
What kind of culture creates that kind of action?
And more importantly:
- Who do you hire for that?
- What do you train for that?
- What kind of reward system reinforces it?
The Next Bravos Lab:
“What We Can Learn From a Terrorist Attack”
📍 Media One Hotel, Dubai
📅 Saturday, January 20 | 8:00 AM – 10:30 AM
🎓 Facilitator: Akbar Khan (ex-Tata Group, now Al Tayer Motors, Bravos Juror)
Akbar worked with the professor who wrote the case.
And on January 20, he’ll guide us through it.
In this interactive Lab, you’ll work in small groups and unpack:
- The real drivers of culture
- What do values mean in action
- How recognition and leadership connect in the moments that matter most
You’ll leave with:
- A renewed perspective on trust, purpose, and leadership
- Concrete tools to build stronger engagement in 2026
- The kind of reflection that stays with you
This Lab is Nearly Sold Out. But You Can Join the Waiting List.
Due to high interest and limited seats, registrations are limited.
However, you can join the waiting list, and we’ll let you know if a seat becomes available.
If you know one of the Bravos core team members, they might still have some free tickets.
Know a Company That Should Be in the Bravos Awards?
This Lab is part of a bigger journey.
🏆 The Bravos Employee Engagement Awards celebrate companies that walk the talk.
Not perfect ones – but those who choose progress.
📅 Submission Deadline: February 17, 2026
Start by taking the free Bravos Readiness Scan:
👉 awards.employeeengagement.ae/readiness_scan_bravos
Let’s make engagement real.
Together.