Building Excellence in Elections Part II: NEC Liberia

Transforming NEC Liberia Organizational Behavior – Building Institutional Excellence in Elections – 2

Continuous Improvement and Learning & Development are not legal requirements but a shared personal and organizational commitment. Continuous improvement starts with a mindset, as highlighted in the recent BRIDGE workshop organized for the leadership, Board of Commissioners, and Senior Managers of the National Elections Commission (NEC) Liberia.

Through the comprehensive BRIDGE approach, NEC Liberia has reinvigorated its commitment to continuous improvement. It emphasizes sustained learning and development while encouraging ongoing professional growth across all levels of the organization.

Organizations change all the time—sometimes for the good, sometimes not. NEC management acknowledged the importance and influence of the institution’s leadership on organizational behavior, especially when aiming for positive changes and development. Leadership’s role in influencing positive changes was noted as critical. Without proactive leadership, negative changes may negatively impact NEC’s organizational behavior.

In a significant step forward, NEC Liberia continues to advance its journey toward institutional excellence by transforming its organizational culture. A key takeaway from the workshop was the cultural iceberg concept, which resonated deeply with participants. This framework helped uncover hidden cultural issues within the organization, allowing leaders to identify both visible and invisible elements of NEC’s organizational culture. Consequently, participants prioritized actionable steps focusing on fostering a healthier work environment and preventing the development of a toxic workplace.

Meticulous planning, preparation, and detailed discussions form the foundation of this transformation. As the saying goes, “Organizational culture eats strategy for breakfast.” NEC Liberia is committed to sustaining a culture of innovation, continuous learning, and development in partnership with stakeholders.

Key elements in this transformation include:

• Introducing appropriate rituals that reinforce positive behaviors and organizational values.
• Ensuring merit-based selection to assign the right people to the right roles, fostering a culture of excellence.

UNDP’s Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP), EU, Sweden, and Ireland will continue to work closely with NEC Liberia Leadership to facilitate the implementation of these proposed actions. This partnership ensures that NEC remains on course to achieve its vision of institutional excellence, delivering on its mandate to strengthen Liberia’s democratic processes.