Ester Hakaala
Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) Commissioner Sam Shivute has challenged New Era staff members to embrace continuous learning, professional discipline and personal accountability, saying institutional excellence depends on the commitment of individual employees.
Speaking during a visit to New Era on Friday, Shivute said organisations could not achieve world-class standards without employees who are willing to improve their skills, take their responsibilities seriously and contribute to a culture of excellence.
“There is nothing like an excellent institution without excellent or world-class professionals, because it has to start with us,” he said.
Shivute, who shared lessons from NamRA’s institutional development and his personal leadership journey, emphasised that employees should remain open to learning, regardless of their experience or position.
His address focused on the importance of continuous professional development, building a strong organisational culture, maintaining workplace discipline, and understanding how individual responsibilities contribute to national development.
Continuous learning
Shivute cautioned against complacency, saying employees who believe they already know everything risk limiting their professional and personal growth.
He encouraged New Era staff to adopt a growth mindset and recognise that learning opportunities could come from anyone, including colleagues, supervisors and children.
“The moment you think, just because you don’t like someone, or you have an issue with someone, and you think you cannot learn from them, then just know that is the end. You can learn from each human being, including children.
So do not have what we call a closed mindset or a fixed mindset. Always focus on what we call a group mindset. Always be hungry and know that you can always become better,” said Shivute.
According to Shivute, employees should consistently evaluate what they learn and identify practical ways to apply that knowledge, change their behaviour and share their experiences with others.
He introduced the concept of ACT, which stands for apply, change and teach, explaining that learning should result in practical improvements rather than remain theoretical.
He added that people should also identify habits they need to stop or develop, while sharing useful lessons with others who may not have access to the same learning opportunities.
Shivute further explained that professional development is a gradual process, moving individuals from a lack of knowledge to awareness, competence and eventually mastery while encouraging employees to consider what they would do differently after acquiring new knowledge.
Workplace discipline and
organisational culture
Shivute said a strong organisational culture does not emerge by chance but requires deliberate leadership, consistent standards and collective commitment.
Shivute highlighted workplace discipline, particularly punctuality and respect during meetings, as important elements of building a professional organisation saying that NamRA has introduced measures to discourage lateness at meetings, including requiring latecomers to perform exercises or sing. He said such measures are intended to reinforce accountability and ensure that employees understood the importance of respecting each other’s time while criticising workplace behaviour such as arriving late, using mobile phones unnecessarily during meetings and sleeping while discussions are taking place.
“There are some elements of discipline and respect that you need to have,” he said.
Shivute further emphasised the importance of teamwork and creating an environment in which employees support one another.
Contribution to national
development
Shivute urged employees to look beyond their immediate job descriptions and understand how their daily responsibilities contribute to the country’s broader development.
He said NamRA’s mandate extended beyond collecting taxes and facilitating trade, as the revenue collected enables the government to finance public services.
“If the state does not have the money that we collect, they’ll not be able to pay the salaries of the civil servants. The roads will not be built. Hospitals will have no medicine. Teachers will not be paid.
Pensioners will not get their allowances,” he said.
Using examples of cleaners and other support staff, Shivute argued that every role contributes to the functioning of an organisation and should be treated with dignity.
He said employees should consider the impact of their work on colleagues, institutions, and the public rather than focus exclusively on the tasks assigned to them.
Shivute also encouraged workers to develop self-awareness, seek mentorship and coaching, and identify their strengths and weaknesses.
He further challenged employees to consider what their institutions would lose if they ceased to exist and how they themselves would be remembered when they eventually left their workplaces adding that professional competence alone is insufficient without integrity, positive relationships and a commitment to serving others.
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