As the first half-term draws to a close, the moans and groans from the coalface in MAT-land are already reaching fever pitch. Whereas once upon a time, the poor old local authorities would have been the focus of all the grumbles and gripes those days are long gone: it’s now all about the multi-academy trusts.
And from the whispers that reach this CEO’s ears, it would seem that much in the same way that each MAT proudly champions its own values and brand, they each also appear to attract their own recurrent set of complaints.
On closer inspection, the themes that come up would readily be found in the problem pages or any Agony Aunt column. So, in the spirit of easing some of the woes and strife in the once-happy kingdom of MAT-land, the doctor’s surgery is now open…
Dear Dr CEO,
I’ve recently changed jobs. I thought that I would love the new organisation I am working for - they have a great reputation for high performance. Trouble is, I have absolutely no freedom to do the job the way I know works - instead, I am basically expected to behave like a mindless automaton. It’s like going shopping for a new patterned carpet but all I’m allowed to buy is plain, plain, plain. Help, I am an individual!
Sadly, all that glitters is not always gold. Some of the best-performing organisations do have very rigid ways of doing things as they see it as the one way of controlling their results. That’s why the Ford Motor company introduced a production line way back in 1913. The downside of this approach is that individuality can be quashed. They won’t change, so get out before they quash you.
Dear Dr CEO,
I have a very large extended family. We have a facade of all being really close, but the reality is that we really don’t know each other at all. We all talk about how important family is, but I have no idea who some of these people are. The pretence of it all is really getting me down.
Washing dirty laundry in public is always a bad idea, but can you talk to any of your family members to say this is how you feel? Maybe even organise a family get together for everyone - even if there are some awkward conversations with people having to introduce themselves. If physical distance is the problem, moving home could make the journey easier.
Dear Dr CEO,
I have a very controlling and domineering mother. She absolutely has to be the centre of attention and is only really happy when she has something bright, shiny and new. I do love her, but I do feel like she often forgets I am even here. She has a huge circle of friends - if only they knew.
It’s always difficult when a parent is behaving more like a child than an adult. I suspect that your mother is rather set in her ways - and her need to be the centre of attention will only increase the older she gets. The good news is that when you are old enough you can fly the nest without a backward look.
Dear Dr CEO,
Our family has been on the brink of breaking point for years - we keep soldiering on and putting sticking plasters over the cracks, trying to reassure each other that everything will be ok, but, deep down, I know it won’t. At what point do I hold my hands up and say enough is enough?
Rip those plasters off. It will hurt, but it’s the only way. In the words of Neil Sedaka, breaking up is hard to do, but if you love someone, sometimes you just have to set them free.
The Secret CEO is the chief executive of a multi-academy trust somewhere in England
