The Tribune

The Bahamas this week lost a ‘giant’ in youth development and business. Lionel Elliot Senior, for more than 30 years, gave his all to improving the lives of Bahamians and ensuring that our reputation as a destination was improved each day.

Through the various programmes he was privileged to serve, Lionel made the young people he touched see their value and worth. He was the ideal employee in every sense, and it was a joy and pleasure to work with him. His passing prompted thoughts about what employers find valuable in employees.

In tribute to Lionel, here is his final character reference. Perhaps it will motivate the entire Bahamian workforce to strive for excellence, as he did each day.

• Passion - Energy, enthusiasm and a great love for the work assigned is vital for high efficiency levels in the workplace. Lionel, the energiser bunny, was the poster child for passion and excitement in the workplace. He loved his assignment, he loved people and everyone knew it.

• Reward and Recognition - One of the basic human emotional needs is encouragement. Great employers and employees know how to lavishly give verbal support to others on the team. Lionel was the top cheerleader, supporting the goals and dreams of his fellow teammates.

• Initiative - The best employees see what must be done, and take action to complete the assignments. They see needs, and immediately seek innovative ways to solve them. Lionel Elliot always seemed to be the man standing in the gap. Our official ‘fill in guy’, he could always be counted on to start or finish a project.

• Communication - Verbal, non-verbal and written expression is one of the most crucial competencies for a productive work environment.

Lionel Elliot, the trainer extraordinaire, most sought-after Master of Ceremonies, preacher-teacher, has certainly left his mark on the talent development industry in the Bahamas.

• Humor - The best employees do not take themselves and everything around them too seriously. They are able to laugh at their mistakes and make the work environment light. Lionel Elliot was the life of the party.

• Integrity- When no one is watching, employees with integrity do the right thing. Lionel Elliot, as a man of faith, lived the life of integrity that he preached.

• Confidentiality - The best employees are those who guard information that might be considered sensitive, divulging it only to those authorised to have it. Lionel Elliot knew what to keep from what to share.

• Team Player - No team can experience great success unless there is a deliberate effort by all to work together towards the common purpose. Lionel was the glue that held team members together. He organised social activities that forced us all to see the contributions everyone made.

Lionel went to the grave empty. His was a life well lived and a race well run. These eight attributes/competencies are just a few of the strengths that this Bahamian hero left on the table. His life’s work speaks for him and, hopefully today, it inspires some young Bahamians entering the work force to strive for better. May Lionel Elliot Sr rest in peace and rise in power.

• NB: Ian R. Ferguson is a talent management and organisational development consultant, having completed graduate studies with regional and international universities. He has served organsations, both locally and globally, providing relevant solutions to their business growth and development issues. He may be contacted at tcconsultants@coralwave.com.