Lok Jack GSB Graduates encouraged to “Make the Believable Achievable Through Effective Leadership”

“The current climate you face as you enter or re-enter the business world is not just bleak – it’s an ice cold shower”.  These intense words came from Mr. Charles Percy, Managing Director and CEO, Methanex Trinidad Limited, as he delivered the feature address at the Lok Jack GSB’s Academic Awards Ceremony on January 24, 2009 at the Trinidad Hilton and Conference Centre.   

Mr. Percy was referring to the current economic recession occurring throughout the world including the weakening of our local economy.  He spoke of the historic collapses of Enron and WorldCom and of the five stand-alone investment banks which have been “swallowed up or been forced to convert themselves to low-risk tightly regulated commercial banks”.  “Locally, our business climate is also being affected…with reduced margins on major export commodities…plant shutdowns and lay-offs”, he said.

However, with job security now being a thing of the past, the CEO reassured the graduands that they made the right choice in pursuing a postgraduate degree and that their sacrifice was not in vain.  “The journey will be worth it”, he said, “but, you have to Make the Believable Achievable – MBA” - a phrase Percy coined some ten years ago when he graduated from the Business School.   

He challenged the graduands to work harder than they’ve ever done before and to live up to the promise of their business degrees, explaining that by so doing, change should be achieved through considered and visionary leadership.  “Your leadership work has only just begun, and opportunities will unfold if you truly follow your passion…but in these harsh economic times, great leadership is more critical than ever”, he said.

In his closing statements, Mr. Percy offered three leadership guidelines on how to Make the Believable Achievable:

1. Leadership is a team effort: “Teamwork”

View your peers as colleagues; not competitors.  The relationships you foster with people, those above, below and alongside you, will be the foundation of your leadership.

2. Leaders demonstrate “Character”

Put the interests of your company and colleagues ahead of your own; adopt an entrepreneurial mindset.
Speak up even it is an unpopular view and always follow your passion.

3. Leaders value good “Communications”

History suggests that those in positions of leadership who do not listen, fail.  Listening is perhaps the key ingredient in effective communications.  However, while being a good listener is no guarantee of success, the lack of this characteristic is a fatal flaw. 

Also in attendance at the function was Mrs. Teresa Davidson, Director – Funding and Grants Administration Division, Ministry of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education and Dr. Michael Bradshaw, Accreditation and Quality Enhancement, ACTT. 

The graduands and their guests enjoyed live entertainment and cocktails following the awards ceremony.

• Centre for Training & Development
  • Project Management
    • Contracting in a Project Environment
  • Professional Development
    • Coaching and Mentoring Skills for Managers
    • Principles of Contract Law
  • Skills Development
    • Effective Meeting Management

Project Management

Contracting in A Project Environment
February 10th – 12th, 2009

Overview

This course covers the foundations of sound contract management principles from the project manager's perspective. The course focuses on establishing a high level of awareness on the part of the project manager in the area of contract development, administration, and closeout. Participants use exercises and simulations to explore the concepts of contract negotiations.

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Professional Development

Coaching and Mentoring Skills for Managers
2nd, 3rd and 11th February, 2009

In this workshop, participants learn the organisational and individual benefits associated with employee performance coaching and counseling: they will examine opportunities for using coaching and mentoring in the workplace; they will discuss the personal attributes and behaviours of those who effectively practice employee coaching and counseling; they will have an opportunity to plan and execute, by use of role play, a coaching intervention. Workshop attendees will also be able to assess their competence in the areas of listening, providing feedback, and creating Personal Development Plans (PDPs) – three critical activities in the mentoring and coaching process.

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Principles of Contract Law
9th, 10th and 11th February, 2009

The course is designed to build upon the fundamentals of contract law and will aid in enhancing the decision-making capability of the non-legal professional. In particular, it aims to develop and nurture competencies that prepare non-legal professionals to interface effectively with both legal and non-legal professionals.

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Skills Development

Effective Meeting Management
February 16th – 17th, 2009

Overview

While meetings can be very productive, resulting in major issues being addressed, problems being solved, decisions being taken; meetings are also very expensive in terms of time, resources and energy. Experts suggest that the average professional wastes at least five hours per week in unnecessary meetings.
This programme therefore aims to provide you with the necessary tools and tactics to make your meetings work.

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