Sabir Sami

Chief Executive Officer of KFC Division, Yum Brands

Search every verified Sabir Sami interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Sabir Sami, former CEO of KFC and a graduate of the class of 1998 from IBA, discussed his career journey and leadership philosophy in a 2025 podcast appearance. He reflected on his early life in Pakistan, his experiences at Coca-Cola and Yum! Brands, and the importance of humility in leadership, stating that leaders should sometimes refrain from adding their own input when team members are better equipped to make decisions. He also shared views on modern work culture, saying he does not believe in traditional 9-to-5 hours, which he described as a concept from the industrial revolution, and noted that technology and smartphone integration are increasingly critical for business survival. In a 2022 alumni interview, Sami, then Global Chief Operating Officer of KFC and Asia MD at Yum Brands, discussed his accidental entry into business school and the evolution of graduate competitiveness. He emphasized the value of mentoring, noting that he mentors executives across regions such as Russia, Australia, and South Africa as a core part of his leadership role. He also observed that while past graduates had fewer mentors, today's larger and more competitive student body faces different challenges, including managing difficult bosses and timelines.