Mr Lester Oakes This is Me

 View all 17 references Web References

1. 1. IAEVG -

   www.iaevg.org/iaevg/nav.cfm?la - [Cached]

   Published on: 8/1/2008   Last Visited: 8/1/2008

   Mr Lester Oakes
   
   Career Services
   
   4th Floor CMC Building
   
   89 Courtney Place
   
   PO BOX 9446

2. 2. www.eeotrust.org

   www.eeotrust.org/awards/bullet - [Cached]

   Published on: 5/25/2008   Last Visited: 6/7/2008

   Lester Oakes, Career Services Work-Life Survey reveals business benefits
   ...
   Lester Oakes, Career Services
   
   The Walk the Talk award went to Lester Oakes, Chief Executive of Career Services, a government organisation employing 170 staff at 15 locations.Lester has been with Career Services since 1990 and was appointed Chief Executive eight years ago.With more responsibilities and demands on his time, Lester realised he needed to make a concerted effort to incorporate a sense of wellbeing and balance into his work schedule."I purposefully take public transport to the railway station and walk the rest of the way," says Lester."This creates a space in my day and enables me to get some exercise into my routine."
   
   The organisation's values explicitly include work-life balance, resilience and manaaki me te tiaki tangata - welcoming and supporting one another.Lester models and communicates these values and employees often feel there is a whanau approach about the way he manages the office."I spend a lot of time talking and connecting with people, and genuinely understanding what is working for them or how things could be done differently," says Lester."You can't just do that when things are going wrong.It needs to be part of a climate of trust and openness that has been developed over time."
   
   Lester's motto is "long hours are not a badge of honour" and this exemplifies his attitude to work.He encourages staff to make time for family and other interests outside of the workplace.Lester believes that often the things that have a small impact on an organisation can have a significant impact on people's lives.
   
   Managers have the discretion to agree to employees' taking sick kids to the doctor, attending school activities, sharing a special occasion etc. "The minute you have to take the rule book out it defeats the purpose," he says."People need to feel that they can approach you and these requests can be accommodated.We have reporting targets that need to be met but I don't believe long hours and outcomes necessarily go together."
   
   Training and development is important, as are recognition and celebration of successes.Lester is personally involved in all staff induction programmes so that new employees understand the peoplefocused culture he supports.Lester is Vice President of the International Association of Education and Vocational Guidance, and is involved in Wellington's musical theatre productions.

3. 3. Scoop: New student complaints scheme

   www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/ - [Cached]

   Published on: 9/1/2004   Last Visited: 9/15/2004

   Lester Oakes, Chief Executive of the Career Services, said the advent of
   ...
   Lester Oakes, Chief Executive of Career Services rapuara: