By Paul J. Miracle | 12th February 2026
On Thursday, 12th February, The Co-operative University of Kenya hosted an interactive Staff Engagement Forum (SEF) aimed at equipping its task force with practical insights to empower them individually and enhance their collective effectiveness. The engagement, which took place at the University’s Nordic Hall, was convened following an invitation from the Division of Finance, Planning, and Administration (FPA) and University Management, encouraging all members of staff to participate in what was described as a reflective and interactive platform for growth.
In her opening remarks, CHRP (K) Jemimmah Anne Mmata, Principal Human Resource Manager, underscored the purpose of the forum as one centered on enhancing staff personal well-being, fostering effective working relationships, and contributing to sustained professional growth within the University community. She emphasized that people drive performance and that institutions thrive when their employees are self-aware, emotionally intelligent, and committed to continuous development, an outlook that framed the day’s deliberations.
The keynote session, facilitated by psychologist Dr. Kennedy Peter Munyua, focused on the theme “Personality, Emotional Intelligence and Personal Development: Managing Self and Relationships at Work.” His presentation explored how understanding oneself forms the foundation for building stronger professional relationships and creating high-performing teams at CUK. Drawing from the session materials, he explained that diverse personalities reflect unique patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving, which in turn shape communication styles and approaches to work.
Staff were encouraged to appreciate that no personality type is superior to another; rather, their diversity in personality enriches teamwork and improves results. Dr. Munyua highlighted that workplace conflict often arises from differences in personality and perspective, but understanding these differences reduces frustration and strengthens collaboration. By recognizing individual strengths, such as the reflective focus of introverts, the energy of extroverts, the analytical depth of thinkers, and the empathy of feelers, teams can harness complementary skills for improved performance and productivity at the University.
A significant portion of the engagement forum was dedicated to emotional intelligence, defined as the ability to understand emotions, manage them effectively, and relate well with others. Participants examined its core components: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. Through reflective discussions, staff explored the importance of recognizing personal emotional triggers, understanding how their reactions impact colleagues, and choosing constructive responses, especially under pressure.
The session reinforced that high emotional intelligence contributes to better teamwork, less conflict, higher productivity, and stronger leadership within the University. The forum also delved into personal development as an intentional process of self-improvement, continuous learning, and confidence-building. Staff were encouraged to identify specific areas for growth, including skills enhancement, attitude, communication, and time management. Practical guidance was provided on building self-esteem by acknowledging strengths, accepting imperfections, and celebrating progress. Embracing a growth mindset and recognizing that improvement is possible, mistakes are lessons, and feedback is valuable, was emphasized as key to sustained professional development.
To translate insight into action, the staff were guided in creating personal growth plans by identifying one goal, choosing one concrete action, and setting a clear timeline. The session concluded by bringing together the core message of the day: knowing one’s personality, developing emotional intelligence, and committing to personal growth lead to better communication, stronger relationships, and improved workplace performance. As aptly captured in the final thought of the presentation, “when we grow as people, we grow as professionals.” The Staff Engagement Forum established The Co-operative University of Kenya’s commitment to nurturing a supportive and high-performing work environment.
