PEOPLE
RWANDA’S
HOW
SENIOR EXECUTIVES
DEAL WITH
STRESS
The pressures of being a business leader in today’s world are enormous. It doesn’t really
matter whether you are running a small or large business. And if you don’t learn how to
control stress, it controls you. Donah Mbabazi spoke to some of Rwanda’s senior executives to find out how they manage whatever life throws at them.
MAURICE TOROITICH
LAWSON NAIBO
MANAGING DIRECTOR, KCB
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, BANK OF KIGALI
Stress is part of daily life and finding ways of dealing with
it helps a lot. For me, keeping fit is very important. Starting or ending my day with some physical exercises helps
me a lot in dealing with stress. Another trick is to be calm
all the time. Having a calm mindset helps me deal with
whatever issues with a calm spirit. However, my best way
of managing stress is keeping physically fit. It works very
well; it takes the stress away and keeps me going.
It all depends on where it emanates from. If it is from colleagues, then you are able to meet and have discussions
and come up with possible solutions. When you discuss
issues with those involved, you avoid bottling them up,
which would have otherwise caused more stress.
The other thing is that we normally have morning meetings with various heads of department where issues are
raised and addressed. From a social perspective, it is important to go out, at least over the weekend, and have
some fun with friends at different nooks.
IRENE MUSAYIDIRE
thing that helps me calm down. But when the stress is
overwhelming and threatening to take control of me, I
seek the services of a psychologist.
DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE, ARCHITECT BUILDERS INTERNATIONAL
How I deal with stress depends on how heavily it is weighing on me. When it’s not so much, once in a while I do
something relaxing such as physical exercises or sharing with my friends what is burdening me. Sometimes I
simply go out with my friends and watch a nice movie.
Because I am a staunch Christian, praying is one other
JOSEPHINE NYEBAZA
SECOND VICE PRESIDENT, ASSOCIATION
DES AGENCIES EN DOUANEAS RWANDA
Not all stress can be avoided, and it’s not healthy to avoid
a situation that needs to be addressed. When I can’t avoid
a stressful situation, I try to alter it and figure out what I
OCTOBER 2016 EDITION - 31