PCC and BYUH employees share why having good communication, training and respect create an effective work environment
Effective communication. Inclusivity rights. Empowerment and respect. Establishing an emotional safety culture. Training empathetic leaders.
These are the basic qualities shared by safe and effective work environments, said Moniqueca Kaufusi, the training & development manager for the Polynesian Cultural Center’s Human Resources Department and a local person from Laie.
Kaufusi said policies must be shaped to meet the unique needs of employees to foster a good workplace. She said, “When they feel heard and valued, that’s when the magic happens. They bring their A-game, come up with fresh ideas and feel like they’re a part of the family.”
When researching for her doctorate while working as a human resources manager, Kaufusi said she found the whole team’s potential skyrockets when people genuinely feel included. “It’s like unlocking this massive amount of energy and creativity that was always there, just waiting to be tapped into. This applies directly to my students at BYU–Hawaii as well. I teach business communications and the power of engagement through inclusivity, and it is incredible. There is power in incorporating differences,” she said.
This was true for Rai Pollock, a BYUH alumnus in intercultural peacebuilding from Tahiti, who worked as a night show dancer from his freshman year until he graduated. Pollock said it was a life-changing experience and stress reliever from schoolwork. “I always saw my job at night show as a way for me to get re-energized. I was always looking forward to it, going to work and performing in front of hundreds of people every night.
"As time passed, my co-workers became family, and today I wish nothing else but the chance to work around them one last time,” he said. The job was physically demanding, he added, but was fun and gave him opportunities to learn new ways of life from those he worked with.
Florence Gonapa, a sophomore majoring in biology from Papua New Guinea, said starting work with a prayer meeting can create a positive work environment. She said before the beginning of her campus patrolling shift as a campus security guard, the prayer meetings she holds with her co-workers help her to stay positive throughout the day. She recalled a past job on campus where they did not hold prayer meetings and said she was much more stressed with the varied workload and demanding tasks.
Communication is key
Lesieli Vanisi, a TESOL alumna from Tonga and former dancer at the PCC night show, shared, “This work environment had safety protocols and regulations that helped regulate a productive and safe work environment.” She said her leaders and co-workers helped her improve herself as an employee because they shared the same values and understanding.
“The experience brought me out of my comfort zone and taught me about teamwork,” she said. Vanisi said her only recommendation would be to improve the compensation rate for employees due to the job’s substantial physical and emotional demands.
Pollock said communication is key to successful teamwork in a good workplace. He said when he made mistakes, he sought feedback from his managers, “I always liked to ask for feedback whenever I had the chance. It allowed me to perform better next time.”
Gonapa said the positive energy of her co-workers was the best thing about going to work and meeting people. Communication was an important factor between her colleagues and supervisors to maintain and produce a good work environment, she said.
“We get recognized for our hard work by our managers and supervisors and this motivates us to do better every day,” Gonapa said.
Kaufusi said good communication results in an effective team. “It is as simple as creating good vibes where everyone talks straight, listens well and gets what others mean,” she said.
Aside from working as an HR manager, Kaufusi said she teaches a business communication class at BYUH where she focuses on the importance of being clear, concise and succinct, with no jargon needed. “It’s all about making real connections with people,” she said. Applying these principles to the workplace, Kaufusi said she trains managers at PCC to empower their employees through clear and concise recognition and constructive feedback. She said it creates good vibes and a positive work experience where everyone is learning and growing together.