Lagos State is experiencing exponential growth because of its team of workers, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said. Ambode who spoke on the topic, “Coaching for Higher Performance” during an ongoing 2-day training programme for the State Public Service said they have been investing in every public officer by designing and delivering coaching instructions that would increase their knowledge and skills, such that the multiplier effect will be seen by the people.
Represented by the Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Establishments, Training, and Pensions, Dr. Akintola Benson, the Governor said the benefits for the State Public Service in terms of benefits are enormous. He said it empowers individuals and encourages them to take responsibility, increases employee and staff engagement; improves individual performance and, therefore, organisational performance and helps identify and develop high potential employees;
He added that it also helps identify both organizational and individual strengths and development opportunities; helps to motivate and empower individuals to excel while it demonstrates organizational commitment to human resource development.
He said: “The ultimate goal for all organisations is to attain optimal state of performance and effectiveness where its units and teams and departments are headed by persons who understand what leadership means and who have developed their leadership potentials and have enhanced their performance skills. It is only at such a point in time that organisations can experience exponential growth.
“However, no matter how often or how seriously one discusses the importance of leadership skills for every officer of the Lagos State Public Service, the efforts would be meaningless and would amount to undertaking a journey without a map unless and until a clear path to acquiring the critical leadership skills is created and adopted. The creation and adoption of such a path is the purpose of the training workshop. As I have indicated at several other fora, once the State Public Service is able to attain that optimal state of effectiveness and productivity through proper coaching, no problem will be too complicated, no task too herculean, no challenge too huge, and no task too complicated for it to confront head-on.
“Indeed, this is one of my vision for State Public Service: that the state government would invest in every public officer by designing and delivering coaching instructions that would increase the knowledge and skills of every officer such that the multiplier effect on the public service would be dynamism, responsiveness and effectiveness.
“As a matter of fact, it is clear by the public statements and actions of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration, that, in envisioning a civil service peopled by leaders, we are mindful that leadership is not about a title or a designation. It’s about impact, influence and inspiration. The purpose of this training, therefore, is to begin the monumental task of helping every officer of the State Public Service become impactful, influential and productive to such degrees that the output of the civil service will inspire our citizens.
He further stated what they want to achieve is a State Public Service where every officer is able and empowered to set a clear vision regarding his or her duties and effectively communicate it to colleagues, providing them with a clear understanding of the desired direction and is able to provide stability, inspiration, courage and direction during times of crisis and when dealing with relationships between co-workers, amongst others.
He reiterated the vision of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration to help develop the latent abilities of every public servant into full-blown leadership attributes that will translate into productive engagements and exponential growth.
