The Story of Mahmoud El-Araby: A Utopian Vision in the Workplace

In 1932, just before the English writer John Galsworthy was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, Mahmoud El-Araby was born to a poor farming family in the village of Ashmoun, located in Egypt's Menoufia Governorate—a province known for producing presidents and ministers to this day.

At the age of three, his father sent him to a kuttab (a traditional Quranic school) to memorize the Qur’an. But due to his family's worsening economic situation, he never received formal schooling. At just five years old, Mahmoud began his business journey with only 40 piasters. Through hands-on experience, he mastered the tricks of trade and made the most of every opportunity.

After the death of his father, El-Araby moved to Cairo to work and eventually started his own business. He steadily developed his enterprise, and by the 1970s, he was seeking a partnership with a leading global electronics manufacturer. One day, a Japanese student at the American University in Cairo—who frequently visited Mahmoud’s shop—introduced him to Toshiba. As fate would have it, the student worked for Toshiba, which was then a technological powerhouse.

Mahmoud soon earned the trust of Toshiba and went on to establish Toshiba El-Araby in 1978. From there, his business empire continued to grow, earning him the honorary title of “Shahbandar Al-Tojjar”—the "Chief of Merchants."

At this point, you might think this is just another rags-to-riches story of a successful entrepreneur. But the real story hasn't even started yet.

What Set Mahmoud El-Araby Apart?

Despite overseeing an empire of more than 40,000 employees, El-Araby treated his people in an extraordinary way—"They work with me, not for me," he used to say. He saw his employees not as subordinates, but as partners in success.

He even developed employee-centric policies, where workers received a share of company profits after two years of employment. Workers and their families were also offered exclusive social benefits—such as covering children's education, and offering trips for Hajj and Umrah.

I didn’t want to reduce the story to financial benefits or HR metrics, but the impact of this leadership style is impossible to ignore. His approach fostered deep respect and loyalty, enhanced employee retention, and boosted both focus and productivity. Employees felt appreciated and responsible, because they were true stakeholders in the company.

His humanity was perhaps most evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he reassured his employees in a heartfelt message:

"The ship will sail safely and securely."
These words gave thousands of families a sense of stability during a global crisis.

A True Utopia in the Workplace

Mahmoud El-Araby succeeded in creating an ideal work environment—in a tough, industrial sector no less—where employees were respected and valued, and the company, in return, received loyalty and dedication.

This was not a fantasy, but a real-life utopia, a dream that the philosopher Plato once imagined—and Mahmoud El-Araby, the humble man from Ashmoun, made a reality.
May he rest in peace.

What Do We Lack Today?

It’s not compassion or resources that today’s companies and decision-makers lack. What we truly lack is a culture—a new mindset around workplace dynamics and the value of employees.

We need a cultural shift that sees human capital as the most critical asset of any organization. One that places the employee before the profit.

To help promote this shift in the Arab region, we must lean on our universities, institutions, and most importantly—active professional communities that bring together HR leaders, CEOs, and decision-makers.

So What Is “Utopia Workplace Community”?

It’s a vibrant Arabic-speaking LinkedIn community that brings together decision-makers, HR professionals, and workplace influencers to discuss and exchange ideas on how to create happier, healthier work environments.

What Are the Goals of the Community?

In simple terms, Utopia Workplace Community aims to elevate the concept of employee happiness, raise awareness of its value, and inspire action through discussions, workshops, and real-life experiences shared by those passionate about this mission.