Up Close … with Lise Bastienne, principal secretary in the President’s Office-From unambitious little girl to President’s right-hand woman |16 August 2011

I was in awe and in the moment, acutely aware of the building’s enriched past.

Looking up, I noticed a slim silhouette heading towards me, seemingly in a rush. Pressed grey trousers and a well matched top of delicate white embroidery greeted me as the principal secretary in the President’s office came to a stop inches away. A pearly smile and a graceful handshake followed. I was about to interview one of our country’s most influential women. Lise Bastienne smiled again and said in a soft voice,
“Shall we begin?”

Childhood, teenage years and family life

I found out she was born on June 24, 1973 and came from a family of nine. All together, Lise has six siblings and says her mother has always been a housewife and her father is now a retired fisherman.

“My childhood was the best time of my life,” she said.
“I’ve always heard the expression ‘A poor man’s riches are his children’ and this was aptly suited to our situation. We lived in a blue and brown corrugated iron house which was packed to the rafters with children. We were poor but happy and always in some sort of trouble with our parents. In other words, we were always up to mischief.”

She smiled fondly, re-living her childhood memories.
“I remember spending most of my holidays amongst fishermen on the beach at Bel Ombre and joining my father on his fishing trips. I think that is how I developed a great love for the sea … it’s a great escape for me.

“I also enjoyed spending time in the woods by myself quite often. I’m a big observer of nature and I learned a lot from it. If it wasn’t the sea, it was the woods. That was just who I was back then.

“Sibling rivalry was also a frequent element in our household. There were seven of us so you can imagine!”

At the age of ten, Lise moved in with her uncle’s family at Anse à la Mouche but when he and his family moved to Australia she had to stay back because her parents refused to sign her adoption papers.

Lise said that as a teenager she was a combination of everything teenagers are made of.

“I was experimental. I didn’t have many friends, and those I did have were always along with me for the ups and downs of teenage life. It was a combination of quiet times and being outgoing.

“I remember one incident where we tried to pluck out our eyebrows. I ended up shaving the whole thing off!” she said, bursting out laughing.

Education and work experience

“So after that, I moved back to Bel Ombre, did my secondary education there and later joined the National Youth Service (NYS).

“NYS for me was that moment in my life where I learned to be disciplined, independent and basically, where I ‘grew up’. It was quite memorable because while there, I was one of the best students and as an incentive, got to enjoy a trip to Reunion.”

From NYS she attended business studies.

“I was always good at languages and was advised to do my A-levels at the school of humanities and sciences. While I was there, I fell pregnant with the first of my two children and had to stop my studies,” she said.

Soon, Lise found herself working as a supply teacher at Bel Ombre school and then, as it was the only option she had at the time in terms of further education, enrolled at the Teacher’s Training College.

“After my graduation, I taught for one term at Beau Vallon school and from there, straight to Independent School where I worked for nine years.”

After the ninth year, she decided not to renew her contract as a teacher.

“I felt I needed to gain more knowledge. I felt saturated in the classroom. I needed a change.”

That’s when she entered tourism.

“I worked as a tourism officer at the Seychelles Tourism Board, in the then tourism and land transport department, and was later promoted assistant manager for product and diversification. I stayed in the tourism industry for two years after which I was offered a job by the former secretary of state Alain Butler-Payette as director of Presidential Affairs in the Office of the President after the 2006 elections.”
 
That was quite a leap from teaching and tourism and she knew it.
 
“I was a bit hesitant at first and I knew it would be a very challenging task. But I’m comfortable with it now.

“I moved into my office in August 2006 and from director of Presidential Affairs, I was promoted the next year to director general and from there, to principal secretary for Presidential Affairs. This was last July.”

Lise said that as a little girl, she did not have any ambitions.

“I wanted to be just like my mother with a house full of children and I have never seen myself occupying such an important post. Never,” she said, looking pensive.

“That’s what I think is so special about our country; we epitomize opportunities available for the youth. Look at me; a little girl with no ambitions who grew up to work with the President of our country.”

“I think it’s very important to have good people who believe in you to guide you. I’ve been incredibly lucky in that sense because I’ve had the backing of my family as well as my work colleagues who have always been there for me. I’ve learned a lot from them.”

She is currently working on her dissertation results for her Masters of Arts in Leadership and Strategy.

Adapting and home life

I thought she had it easy and voiced that everything seemed like a breeze for her, but Lise passionately disagreed with that statement.  

“It wasn’t easy at all adapting to the major shift from handling school children to being catapulted head first into the adult world. They are so serious,” she said jokingly.

“Seriously though; children tell you what they think upfront whereas I had to accept that adults were not as forthcoming. I remember initially, when things got tough, I longed to go back to my chalk and blackboard and my classroom full of kids.

“But with the support of my colleagues and my strong sense of patriotism – I love my country – I got the determination to push through those issues.

“At home I try as much as possible to spend quality time with my family. I sometimes join my son in bed – he is 18 now – and we simply talk about his day or anything really. Of course this comes after his little sister has fallen asleep, as they constantly compete for my attention. I do try as much as possible to make up for lost time at home,” she said.
Lise said she spends a lot of time at the office.

“The little time I do spend at home, I spend with my family.”

At home, Lise enjoys gardening.  (jokingly) “I told you I wanted to become a housewife; well it’s the whole shebang.”

“I also love reading anything philosophical…photography and poetry are passions of mine and I don’t like cooking or ironing,” she said wrinkling her nose. I had to laugh.

“I am not very particular about the house and mine is quite nature orientated.”

How so? I wondered.

She tapped a finger to her nose knowingly. “I have seashells as ashtrays. I also think that all rooms in the house should be used, and they are.”

“By nature I’m a very tolerant person. However, the thing that gets to me the most is people who beat around the bush – I prefer upfront honesty. I trust people easily and have been burned more times than I can count, so I prefer people to be frank with me,” she said, looking genuinely saddened. 

On the subject of leisure activities, Lise said she enjoys watching movies and reading.
“I have three favourite movies of all time and I could watch them a million times over (Ghost, The Godfather – he was not a violent person at first but started killing to earn a living – and The Thornbirds).

“I am also currently reading a book I was actually a part of – Distant Horizons, My Reflections, written by President James Michel but this time I’m trying to look at it from a reader’s perspective rather than a State House staff member.

“After this project, you learn to appreciate the President more as a person and all the barriers that seem to separate him from the people come down and you can see who he is as a person and not just the President of a country,” she said.

“I was also reading some Khalil Gibran books. He is amazing. I have his whole collection. Gibran’s writing has helped me enormously to cope with everyday life as well as my professional life -- from dealing with young children to being right at the top of it all. It also gives you a different perspective of life.”

Still on the topic of books Lise said one of her favourite poems is ‘The road less taken’ by Robert Frost.

“I read that whenever I feel down and out. It’s basically about not following the crowd, in other words, taking the road less travelled which inevitably makes all the difference.”

“As for music, this might sound a little funny, but I really am a country and western girl. I love Kenny Rogers and Josh Groban. However, due to some of my son’s influence, I’ve started listening to rock songs, among my favourites being ‘Bed of roses’ by Bon Jovi. In fact I liked him before I ever liked his music,” she laughed. “He never seems to grow old.”

Job challenges and working with the President

“The job is full of challenges, but like we’ve heard so many times; we should take these challenges and turn them into opportunities.

“It’s challenging in the sense that it involves dealing with a lot of people. I’ve personally worked with over a thousand people; you have to be outgoing, empathetic and have the ability to distinguish between who is really genuine and who isn’t.

“I also helped shape the President’s agenda for his consultative meetings as well as his visits in the districts. I feel very at ease working with people from the working class and the more vulnerable people of our society. I think that’s where my forte is. I work with the people. I also manage a staff of ten and have to deal with issues most people cannot imagine.

“The first thing I noticed when I joined the President’s Office is that it was completely gossip free. Everybody is so busy that we literally have no time to talk about other people. It makes you feel good.

“The job also gives you a great insight into politics – it’s amazing what goes on,” she said, looking puzzled.

“The person I admire most on the job is the President himself. It’s his leadership qualities mostly. He’s a complete workaholic and he wants things done yesterday,” she said smiling.

“Can I tell you another secret? You will never get into trouble with the President if you’re a devoted and hard worker. The President is a visionary first and foremost. I also admire his vast experience and his belief in giving people opportunities – especially the youth. He’s extremely disciplined and what I respect most is his sense of fairness.”

Personal inspiration

The person who inspires me in life is my father. I’ve never heard him complain ever and he always finds something positive about a situation. He’s just had a stroke and is paralysed but he is still cracking jokes and making fun about what happened to him. He’s a strong man,” she said, her voice cracking.

“Even when he is in dire need of financial assistance we often hear him say ‘I was worse off back then, I think I can deal with this small problem. Always positive, my dad.”

Advice for the youth

“Focus on what you want in life and the rest does not matter. Opportunities are in abundance for us here. Grab them and make the most of them. The moment is now and you cannot go back and grab opportunities when they’re gone. As long as you know you are doing the right thing and not hurting anybody in the process, go for it! The rest does not matter.”

By Rebecca Chang-Tave