NEC Liberia practicing Institutional Excellence and disseminating it to the middle managers and Magistrates

NEC Liberia Middle Managers Commit to Institutional Excellence at BRIDGE Workshop

In a landmark step toward transforming public service delivery, 25 middle managers from the National Elections Commission (NEC) of Liberia reaffirmed their personal and professional commitment to institutional excellence during a four-day BRIDGE workshop held from May 13–16, 2025, in Ganta, Nimba County. Organized under the Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP) and supported by UNDP, the European Union, Ireland, and Sweden, the workshop focused on equipping NEC’s mid-level leadership with the tools, mindset, and strategies to drive meaningful change from within.

The workshop, the third in a series dedicated to “Building Institutional Excellence in Elections,” emphasized that excellence is not merely a policy directive but a personal responsibility. Participants engaged in deep reflection on NEC’s organizational culture, identified internal challenges, and developed practical strategies to improve communication, leadership, and collaboration. Each participant pledged to implement these principles in their respective offices, becoming champions of change and role models for their peers.

“This workshop has inspired me to demonstrate excellence,” said one participant. “Institutional excellence starts with me—how I communicate, how I manage, and how I influence others.” This sentiment was echoed throughout the sessions, where participants explored the cultural iceberg model, ethical leadership, and the importance of breaking down the “work in silos” culture. The facilitators noted a high level of engagement and a genuine desire among participants to “infect” their colleagues with a culture of continuous improvement.

The workshop also marked a shift in NEC’s approach to capacity development. For the first time, participants were selected through an open and transparent process, with applications reviewed by NEC’s Human Resources team. This innovation not only strengthened internal accountability but also reinforced the importance of merit-based leadership and inclusive participation in institutional reform.

As NEC Liberia prepares for its next strategic planning cycle, the momentum generated by this workshop is expected to ripple across the organization. BRIDGE facilitators have also pledged their continued support, committing to follow up with each individual participant to ensure that the principles of institutional excellence are not only understood but actively practiced and sustained across NEC’s structures. With each participant now acting as a catalyst for change, the Commission is poised to embed excellence into its daily operations—one office, one leader, and one action at a time.