Any ideas on how best to deal with difficult, stubborn and cynical member of a department? This question was posted on a TES forum and gave me pause for thought, mainly because I knew it was how I was seen by certain managers at my own workplace. This is the result of that thinking....
I have been called all of those things (and worse), which told me more about the person saying it than it did about me. How to deal with people like me?
Well ……..In my own case I am heartily sick of people spouting edubabble at me, it mostly contradicts the edubabble previously spouted at me and merely serves to damage the standing in my eyes of the babbler. Don’t pretend babble is anything other than that.
Never, ever, ever use the phrase ‘playing the game’ in my earshot, I will explode, messily.
Don’t try to bully me or push me around, I have had it lots, it just irritates me and every now and again I bite back.
Don’t pretend that the latest government initiative is 'really useful' when you make me sit through yet another pointless training session watching video clips of unnaturally small classes of well behaved, bright, motivated children.
I am very sick of people telling me to do pointless, unproductive, wasteful, stupid things because it looks good.
Be prepared to admit that it’s really a lot of recycled tosh but we have to do it because the DFCS/LA says so, that is at least honest.
I am additionally sick of managers without skill, vision, understanding or other leadership qualities, who are always desperate to cover up their incompetence, ignorance and personal failings.
On the positive side: engage with me, debate with me, have a clear idea of people’s roles and functions, be prepared to convince me rather than just tell me and if it comes down to a judgment call, I will be the first to say ‘It’s your call’ and respect your decision. Know, accept and even admit to your own limitations.
Above all: listen to what I have to say without trying to dismiss me with words like stubborn and cynical. It’s a poor substitute for discussion.
