Employers urged to give employees room to innovate

May 26, 2014

Juma Kisaame, managing director DFCU Bank has urged employers to give room to their employees to innovate to ensure business success.

By John Odyek

Juma Kisaame, managing director DFCU Bank has urged employers to give room to their employees to innovate to ensure business success.


Kisaame said this during the third edition of annual finance professionals forum. He was the main presenter of the topic: ‘Building successful careers; what gives you the edge’. The function took place at Sheraton Hotel, Kampala. It was organised by ACCA Uganda, United Bank for Africa and the New Vision.

Kisaame urged employees to be ready to move across industries, boundaries and other professions because of the changing dynamics of work environment, technology and changes in businesses like mergers and acquisitions.

He noted that office politics was a reality of life and it could be handled well by people who have high emotional intelligence.

“A degree is important but emotional quotient is critical for success. It determines how you react to conflict or different situations”, Kisaame said.

Kisaame defined a successful career as having an interesting job with an excellent career where one does something they have passion and experience growth.

“The bulk of your time you spend in office, you work with different people and you need to enjoy working with different people in teams.”

He asked employees continuously learn and ask for help from experts to execute their jobs. He said the career of the future would require mastering a discipline, a craft, being creative, using information and the ability to integrate ideas from different disciplines and to communicate them.

He emphasized the importance of work and family balance. “You may work hard but can’t put food on the table, that is a questionable career. Give time to your family,” Kisaame said.

He said employees need a global perspective on issues, to be focused and unique. “There are no more careers for life. The career of today is like a plane taking off and landing at different airports, not like a train moving on a long journey”.

He observed that building relationships helps people grow in their career because people who trust you support you and recommend you for better work opportunities.

He said managers have to take action, show results of what they do, be humble and add value to their companies. “In management you have to solve problems, don’t fear to be blamed, mistakes should not drag you down, learn from your mistakes.”

Adding: “You should learn how to react under adversity. Do you become vicious, hard, give up, crack, or create a nice aroma like coffee does when put in hot water”.

Florence Mawejje, human resource director Centenary Bank Ltd the main discussant, said in today’s work place ‘technical know who’ has come in and cannot be ignored. “Know the touch points in the work place. Who are the key players to propel me to the next level,” Mawejje said.

Mawejje said changes in the work place have made employers look at employees differently. “Employers are in a talent war. They are looking for individuals with unique talent that make the companies stay in business in the cut throat competition,” Mawejje said.

She urged employees to know what they want to do, to read the employment game plan, to stand out in what they do and build their personal brands. “Find a mentor to guide you. Never give up and never accept negative energy,” she stressed.

She cautioned that jobs could go but employees should be able to move from one sector to another to avoid getting lost and suffering.
“Unless you truly care about the company you work for and are personally invested in its success, you will never work as hard /smart as you need to work to truly succeed.

You can only reach your full potential, both personally and in career, when you truly care”.

“Gaining more clarity on your values, passions, talents and interests is critical before changing anything in your professional career. Align your career with your authentic self to realize satisfaction”.

Joan Arop wondered how long a person should work in an organisation before leaving it.

Robert wanted to know whether office politics can help people succeed in their career.

Patricia Kintu criticised employers’ recruitment policies was making it difficult for people to move from one profession to another.

“How can an engineer become a marketer when employers demand for experience and academic qualifications,” Kintu asked.

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