WITH 29 years in public service, mostly in the education and training sector, with professional specialisation in management and leadership, Nathalia /Goagoses was groomed to take the reins and steer the Erongo Region to greater development heights.

She says operational efficiency is one of the most important pillars of successful implementation of plans.

"Operational efficiency can only be realised if leaders create enabling and stimulating working environments to the staff members. Only a well-motivated staff member has proven to be most efficient and effective. Therefore, my firm belief is that growth in the Erongo Regional Council would occur with each administrative staff member playing his or her role to its maximum potential," she said.

"We thus need to engage in capacity-building programmes with regard to effective communication, feedback, recognition and accountability, which will form the basis for my growth principle."

/Goagoses does not expect it to be smooth sailing, though. After two weeks in office, she is finding the balancing act of a chief regional officer challenging.

"I should make my management and leadership decisions based on merits and not on emotions and pressures, and maintain a fine balance between the administrative matters and serving the honourable councillors in all earnestness," she said.

Setting good priorities, tackling issues in a sensible sequence and sustaining implementation over time are what she aims at to balance the scale.

In the corridors of the council, it is suggested that /Goagoses is set to finalise the strategic plan 2012-2017 to ensure effective implementation of the three strategic objectives of the council, namely socio-economic development, operational efficiency and good governance.