In regions where business maps are redrawn daily by geopolitical shifts, migration, and digital disruption, leadership demands more than operational expertise. It calls for human intuition, cultural fluency, and a bold appetite for risk. For Mayank Patel, SVP at Adecco and Head of Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EEMEA), this isn’t theory. It’s terrain he knows intimately.
While many leaders rise through deep specialization, Mayank has built his career by leaning into uncertainty. From steering multi-market dynamics to driving talent transformation in economies like the UAE, he’s earned a reputation for navigating complexity with calm conviction. His leadership is human-centric, insight-driven, and anchored in real-world outcomes. His story echoes leaders who challenge the status quo, those whose empathy turns vision into measurable change. What sets Mayank apart is his ability to fuse decisive leadership with a people-centered mindset that runs deep. At Adecco, he’s not just managing a high-growth portfolio across one of the world’s most diverse regions. Instead, he’s reimagining the future of work as inclusive, adaptable, purpose-driven, and resilient.
Rising by Embracing the Hard Road
Mayank’s path to leading Adecco’s EEMEA operations was shaped by a deliberate choice to transform challenges into opportunities. He repeatedly stepped beyond his comfort zone, taking on roles that stretched his capabilities, compelled by a belief that actual growth comes from confronting complexity head-on.
He doesn’t shy away from pressure; he leans into it. With sharp, creative decision-making, he approaches each assignment as a chance to grow. His leadership philosophy is grounded in the conviction that people are the foundation of any organization’s success. This mindset, combined with an insatiable drive for continuous learning, hasn’t only accelerated his rise but also propelled him forward. It’s made him the unifying force behind Adecco’s high-performing, multicultural teams across the EEMEA region. His signature style of working and leading speak for himself. In his records of accolades, there is a latest entry. Mayank has been listed at the Forbes Middle East’s Global Meets Local for 2025 for the third consecutive year.
Leading Through Unity
Steering the vast diversity of this land is no easy feat. It mandates profound emotional intelligence, something Mayank brings to the table with clarity and care. Rather than leading with authority, he meets complexity with empathy.
His strength lies in his people-first mindset. It allows him to unify varied markets by building trust and cohesion across cultures. Under his leadership, local identities are honored, even as every team aligns behind a shared ambition: to make work meaningful and sustainable for all. His cultural fluency and clarity of vision enable him to drive both performance and purpose across one of Adecco’s most energized arenas.
The Four Pillars of Purposeful Leadership
“Courage to lead through change, ownership of every decision, integrity in all interactions, and consistency in performance” are the four guiding tenets for Mayank’s approach to leading within the global workforce solutions industry. These principles have guided him through complex challenges across diverse markets. He embraces change, champions new ideas, and holds himself and others accountable for meaningful decisions. Integrity builds trust at every level, while consistency earns long-term credibility. Together, these values empower his teams, shape strong leadership cultures, and drive lasting impact across every portfolio he leads.
Living the Balance
For Mayank, passion is what keeps him going. The work excites and energizes him, giving each day a sense of direction. But even the most enthusiastic leaders need to pause. “That said,” he acknowledges, “I also consciously define ‘non-negotiable’ break times—moments to recharge, disconnect, and be present with my family.”
It’s a practice he doesn’t take lightly. These built-in moments of stillness help him reset, allow him to maintain perspective, avoid burnout, and stay grounded amidst the demands of a high-impact leadership role.
Emerging Trends Reshaping the Workforce
A visionary sees beyond the moment. They notice what’s shifting in the margins before it makes the front page. Mayank has long been attentive to these undercurrents. In the Middle East, particularly in the UAE, he has observed three powerful trends quietly rewriting the future of work.
First, flexible, remote, and part-time work arrangements are becoming increasingly common, mirroring a global shift toward more adaptable work models. Second, there’s a growing demand for continuous upskilling, with particular emphasis on digital fluency and AI capabilities. Third, employees are seeking roles that offer meaning and align with their personal values.
In response, Adecco is evolving its talent solutions to meet these changing dynamics head-on. The company is investing heavily in AI-driven upskilling programs to equip workers with future-ready skills. It’s also designing agile workforce models that reflect the rising demand for flexibility and purpose-led careers. Through these forward-thinking initiatives, Adecco continues to uphold its mission of making the future work for everyone, empowering both businesses and individuals in a fast-changing world of work.
Mastering Multicultural Momentum
Mayank acknowledges that leading in a multicultural, matrixed organization comes with its share of challenges, including maneuvering layers of approvals, meeting compliance demands, and managing a range of cultural perspectives. But rather than viewing these as obstacles, he sees them as catalysts for innovation and distinction.
By nurturing a collaborative and adaptable mindset within his teams, Mayank has helped develop solutions that are not only scalable but deeply rooted in trust and regional relevance. These systems do more than tick boxes. They create consistency, credibility, and a competitive edge. His ability to transform complexity into clarity has strengthened Adecco’s reputation as a reliable and forward-thinking partner across EEMEA.
Digital at the Core
Digital transformation guides the structure and direction of Adecco’s approach. “Digital transformation isn’t a part of the strategy,” Mayank highlights, “it is ‘the strategy’.” Across the EEMEA region, it drives every major initiative, from streamlining internal operations to enhancing both candidate and client experiences.
By embedding digital-first tools into day-to-day processes, the company is making work faster, smarter, and more meaningful. These innovations demonstrate that technology isn’t merely about efficiency but rather about empowering people, expanding opportunities, and preparing every stakeholder for the future of work.
Innovation with Intention
Innovation under Mayank’s leadership isn’t occasional. It flows through the core of how teams operate. Across borders and time zones, his teams understand that progress isn’t driven by flashes of inspiration but by consistency, structure, and shared momentum.
Bi-weekly check-ins create a deliberate space for idea-sharing, problem-solving, and celebrating progress. Mayank encourages his teams to think big, take calculated risks, and take ownership of outcomes. By weaving this rhythm into daily operations, the aim is to cultivate entrepreneurial thinking at every level because that perspective is key to shaping the future of work.
Recognition That Reflects Impact
As one of the “Middle East’s 10 Most Influential Business Leaders to Follow in 2025,” Mayank has left no avenue unexplored to amplify impact. Beyond operational results, some milestones have cemented his leadership legacy.
One such pride marker is Adecco’s recognition as one of the top employers in the Middle East—and one of the fastest-growing markets within the Group. As Mayank puts it, “It’s not just a recognition, it’s a reflection of our people, our culture, and the purposeful impact we’re driving across the region.”
This honor shows that the hard work of creating teams that are inclusive of everyone and fostering a work environment that inspires both employees and clients is paying off. His signature style of working and leading speak for himself. In his records of accolades, there is a latest entry. Mayank has been listed at the Forbes Middle East’s Global Meets Local for 2025 for the third consecutive year.
Redefining What’s Possible
More than a business mandate, Mayank regards his role as a responsibility to restructure the future of employment in frontier economies. Through strategic partnerships and thought leadership, particularly in areas like digital and AI skills, he is working to unlock real opportunities for the next generation of talent.
He’s not interested in simply filling vacancies. For Mayank, success lies in building career pathways that equip people with future-fit skills—solutions that serve both individuals and economies. It’s about sparking sustained progress that outlives the placement itself—contributing to long-term growth, capability, and dignity of work.
Advice For the Next Generation of Leaders That Endures
When asked what guidance he shares with those aiming to make their mark in the HR and staffing industry, Mayank offers clear, grounded advice. “Challenge the status quo relentlessly,” he begins. Whether through innovation, rethinking business models, or embracing new technologies, staying relevant demands constant evolution. Above all, he underlines the importance of treating each associate as a valued team member—their growth and success, he believes, are the true reflections of a leader’s impact.
His message bridges both mindset and method: staying relevant means continually reinventing oneself, and real leadership is measured not by metrics but by how deeply one uplifts those around them.
Embedding Purpose and Values Across Markets
Ensuring that Adecco’s values and mission are deeply rooted in every market under his leadership is a priority for Mayank. Every leadership meeting begins with a grounding in the company’s purpose: “Making the future work for everyone.” He ensures that each region’s goals are directly aligned with this mission and regularly reviews progress to keep purpose at the center of every strategy and decision. It’s this consistency that helps maintain a strong, values-driven culture across borders.
A Global Perspective Fueled by Curiosity
At the heart of Mayank’s leadership approach is a deep ‘curiosity’ about people, technologies, cultures, and new ideas. He believes that with the right mindset, “nothing is impossible.” This open, learning-oriented perspective has shaped his global leadership style, helping him adapt across cultures, stay ahead of change, and continually grow. It’s a personal passion that not only informs his work but also inspires those around him to lead with inquisitiveness and courage.
