Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has challenged officers of the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) on effective communication with retirees and pensioners.
The governor, represented by the Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions, Dr. Akintola Benson, spoke during the workshop tagged: ‘Top skills for public-facing officers of LASPEC in Lagos.
He said the training was designed for officers of LASPEC who interact with pensioners, retirees and the public.
According to him, the rationale for the training is to ensure that the officers are reminded of the fundamentals of communicating effectively and compassionately to those with whom they interact.
He said members of the public expect senior public servants to possess general top skills.
He added that the state recognises the fact that there was need to train the officers to ensure that they cultivate skills that public-facing officers of the LASPEC ought to cultivate.
The Governor said: “The first skill or trait should be a passionate commitment to the mission of the agency and the service as a whole. Excitement trickles down from leadership to the employees on the ground. When the administrator is enthused about the organisation or agency’s mission, the employees will mirror those feelings. In times of crisis, great administrators remind their staffs of the purpose of their mission and the role their organisation plays in the larger society.
“The possession of a conceptual skill is also part of the critical skills and traits. As public servants, they must also learn how to pay attention to details. As important as it is for leaders to see the big picture and think strategically, it is equally important for them to pay attention to the details. This does not mean that leaders have to be involved in every minor decision, or undermine the decisions of subordinates; rather, leaders must remain aware of the activities of their staff and the status of projects, allowing autonomy whenever possible,” he added.