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Happy workers make for better work quality and output – Dr Odirile

Self-awareness in employees helps them to not only understand and appreciate their own shortcomings but those of their co-workers and those they interact with on a daily basis such as customers, Career and Counselling Centre Director, Dr Lucky Odirile, has disclosed.

Dr Odirile was speaking at a two-day Careers and Counseling workshop for personal assistants, administrative supervisors and faculty administrators at the University of Botswana on July 10, 2018.

She noted that through employees’ self-awareness organisations would ensure that each person was mindful of their behaviour and would consistently work on improving such. She added that where people understood themselves, they would be in control emotionally hence adjust their behaviour towards others such that each person worked in a stress-free and congenial work environment.

“The attainment of goals and vision of the organisation is easier when each person in the organisation is working towards them rather than against each other. Happy workers make for better work quality and output and higher levels of customer service,” said Dr Odirile.

She further stated that self-awareness in employees helped each person to objectively judge situations and people’s responses and remain aware that their co-workers would have different opinions that deserved respect.

Highlighting the purpose of the workshop, Dr Odirile said in the recent fast-paced and stressful world, it was not unusual for an organisation to have some employees struggling with workplace-related stress or personal issues. She also said such problems could affect an employee’s work performance through lowered productivity levels, increased absenteeism and tense relationships with co-workers.

Other topics that participants were lectured on included Emotional Intelligence and Customer Care given they were the fore-front of organisations. Dr Odirile said improving Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and taking active steps to make changes, led to enhanced productivity, and could build more productive relationships around employees.

“Emotional Intelligence is important and intrinsic to humans, and as such it impacts on every facet of life and most notably the workplace. Therefore, those with higher EQ typically successfully navigate the workplace more effectively. EQ enables an individual to build and drive successful teams, and to be agile and responsive as needed,” said Dr Odirile.

She further said a lower level of EQ could be detrimental to the workplace and its worst level could be seen in bullying, harassment, and demotivated staff.  She added that it could also present as insensitivity, arrogance, or even aggression and volatility to other employees. Meanwhile, other activities which took place during the workshop included exercise games to teach participants how to approach life challenges and digest the message in a simple way.

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