Abdul-Hayi Moomen recently delivered a keynote lecture at the Chartered Institute of Administration and Management Consultants (CIAMC) event focusing on the theme of "Building Strategic Working Relationships." Mr. Kwame Ansah, the Chairman of the event and the Tamale Chapter president of the CIAMC, highlighted the importance of this theme in modern workplaces during his opening remarks. He emphasized collaboration, synergy, and their pivotal role in fostering innovation and effective problem-solving. Mr Ansah expressed confidence in Moomen's expertise, particularly noting his background in journalism and public affairs, and encouraged active participation from attendees. His remarks set a positive tone, emphasizing collaboration, learning, and professional growth for organizational success.

Mr. Abdul-Hayi Moomen, the Director of Public Affairs at the University for Development Studies and an accomplished journalist with years of experience delivered a compelling presentation on continuing professional development on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at Neem Avenue in Tamale. Addressing a diverse audience of professionals, on the theme “Building Strategic Working Relationships”, Mr. Moomen underscored the critical importance of building strategic working relationships within organizations, highlighting the key elements that contribute to a productive and harmonious working space.

He began by drawing the audience's attention to the often-overlooked aspects of workplace interactions, such as phatic communication, and emphasized its importance in building solid relationships. "It's the little things we tend to ignore, that can have a profound impact on the overall health of our work environment." He said. "From the cleaner to the CEO, everyone's relationship is important," Mr. Moomen emphasized while advocating for an inclusive approach where every individual’s role and interaction contribute to the overall health of the work environment. He elaborated on how good working relationships foster creativity and provide a sense of freedom by eliminating the need to constantly fix problems arising from a negative work atmosphere.

Mr. Moomen outlined four fundamental characteristics essential for building robust working relationships: respect, welcoming diversity, communication, and trust. He stressed that respect is crucial, stating, "When you respect each other’s work, you show that you value each other’s contributions, input, and ideas." Respect not only facilitates teamwork but also enhances creativity, insight, and wisdom within the organization.

On diversity, he noted "welcoming diversity fuels creative energy and insight,". By appreciating and respecting individual differences, organizations can harness diverse perspectives to approach problems creatively and pre-empt change. He pointed out the various dimensions of diversity, including gender, religion, socio-cultural background, and career goals, emphasizing the importance of creating an open, supportive environment where everyone can reach their potential.

He highlighted effective communication as a critical component for maintaining good relationships while advocating for active listening, describing it as "the most powerful form of acknowledgment." He outlined steps for active listening, such as focusing on the speaker, asking clarifying questions, and reflecting or paraphrasing what was heard to ensure understanding. "Listening promotes being heard," he added, reinforcing the idea that genuine attention to others’ viewpoints can build trust and prevent misunderstandings.

Trust, according to Mr. Moomen, is the foundation of every relationship. He defined trust as "confidence, the absence of suspicion, confirmed by our track record and our ability to correct." He advised administrators and organizational leaders to treat people with integrity, respect, and empathy to develop and maintain positive relationships. Actions like sharing credit, being direct in communication, and admitting mistakes are crucial for gaining and maintaining trust and confidence among team members.

Mr. Moomen concluded his lecture by emphasizing the practical steps leaders can take to foster a respectful and collaborative work environment. "Develop and maintain positive relationships, gain and maintain trust and confidence, and adjust interpersonal styles to the social and cultural environment," he advised. Through these actions, organizations can not only solve problems more effectively but also create a workplace where everyone feels valued and motivated to contribute their best.

At the CIAMC event in Tamale, Ghana, Chairman Kwame Ansah highlighted the significance of "Building Strategic Working Relationships" in modern workplaces. He emphasized the importance of collaboration and synergy, particularly in innovation and problem-solving. Mr. Ansah expressed confidence in the keynote speaker, Mr. Abdul-Hayi Moomen's expertise, noting the relevance of Moomen's background in Journalism and Public Affairs. He underscored the CIAMC's commitment to excellence and encouraged active participation in discussions. Mr. Ansah's remarks set a positive tone, emphasizing collaboration, learning, and professional growth for organizational success.

Background of the CIAMC-Ghana

The Chartered Institute of Administration and Management Consultants (CIAMC) is dedicated to promoting excellence in professional administration and management consultancy. As a body corporate with perpetual succession, CIAMC has the authority to examine, charter, and regulate its members, and it can perform legal actions in its own name. The Institute's vision is to become a leading institution in Africa, ensuring professionalism through life-long learning.

CIAMC is committed to elevating the professional status of administration and management consulting, ensuring quality by meeting customer requirements, and maintaining professionalism through a workplace attitude and performance that fosters pride and improved work outcomes. The Institute values human capital development, respecting individuals, and providing opportunities for their personal and professional advancement. Additionally, CIAMC has a passion for excellence, striving for ethical behavior and continuous improvement, and upholds social responsibility by prioritizing the needs of trainees, employees, employers, and the communities it serves.

CIAMC's objectives include achieving national and international recognition for research and modern practices in professional administration, collaborating with global institutions to advance education and research, and conducting examinations to assess the skills and knowledge of prospective members. The Institute also issues degrees and professional licenses, publishes educational materials, establishes libraries, and promotes national and international collaborative programs. Since its inception, CIAMC has been dedicated to enhancing the field of professional administration and management consultancy.