Dear Editor,
Monday, June 25, 2018 the new Cabinet took the oath of office and a new chapter in Government began. It is my hope that each and every one of our civil servants will be able to focus on “the big Picture.” I have truly experienced the majority of them to be hard working, involved, passionate and dedicated employees, often times working under less than acceptable conditions in the post-Irma wrecked Government Building, yet everyday coming to work with a smile and often doing more than their share. Unfortunately I have also experienced some that are aces at backbiting, telling you half a story and lacking all respect for their colleagues and superiors.
The way we communicate with each other, the way we talk about each other, the way we respect each other will ultimately determine how well we work with each other. Understanding each-others challenges, greatly improves compassion for each other.
Serving the public is a privilege; the public should never be seen as an interruption of your work.
In the same way that the private sector is not the enemy. It serves absolutely no good purpose to treat them as such, or to paint all members of that pillar of society with one and the same brush.
Government besides being a regulator and enforcer, should also be a facilitator. Government is made up of people … those people are the civil servants.
Be the best that you can be, consider that everyone is innocent until proven guilty, adopt an attitude that embraces the glass being half full rather than half empty. Do not accept mediocracy. Smile every day and count your blessings. Use the stairs more and the elevators less. Flush the toilets and urinals … it shows you respect the next user. Do your work with passion and compassion. Consider yourselves lucky: You have a job!
Thank you for the privilege to allow me work with you and amongst you.
Michael Ferrier
Former Minister of Finance
