Taking the Flak

I was reminded on several occasions this week, that when involved in local politics, you need broad shoulders.

The words of poet John Lydgate come to mind.

“You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time”.

I believe you shouldn’t even try.

I am often in receipt of confidential information and asked to take action, and it is my ability to retain that confidentiality that has attained the level of trust I have hitherto enjoyed; building up a reputation for fairness, and taking into account all of the facts before making up my mind in any situation. This can be uncomfortable for those who rely heavily on being seen to have someone ‘on their side’. I may well be, but I will not be bullied into saying so, until the appropriate time.

People will make up their own minds, interpreting a situation to suit their own agendas. This is only human nature.

I have recently become familiar with a raft of adjectives not usually used to describe me, and have been asked to make assurances about things not within my control.

The public are a fickle bunch, with short memories much of the time, and very long ones if they feel let down; moving swiftly from applauding you one minute, then vilifying you the next, largely dependent on whether or not they think you are doing what they want, at that time. I use the word think intentionally.

Expectations are high when it is increasingly difficult to deliver the goods, but one must strive to do the right thing, no matter what the circumstances.

Having one’s judgement and motivation questioned is not a pleasant experience, but one should not allow ill-informed comments to colour one’s own moral values.   

In being part of the process where decisions made have an impact on the lives of those one represents is not something to be taken lightly, or to be used for one’s own gain. I benefit greatly in not actually living in the areas that I act for, enabling me to take a completely unbiased view, remaining entirely objective. 

None of us is perfect but much of life comes down to the ability to clearly communicate one’s thoughts, words and actions. My style and results bear this out, but not everyone appreciates this. My aim is always to find out what people want, then to help them achieve their goal, however unrealistic it may be.

We are increasingly fettered by central government decisions and policies; taking the flack locally for doing our best in a bad situation. I can think of several recent examples, the provision of free school meals for reception classes and years 1 and 2 from this September, and also the current debate over free TV licences for over 75s.

These may be vote catchers, but there is often little extra funding attached to such initiatives, and if there is, it is often only for a limited period of time. 

There is also great frustration over the unacceptable flood situation in Somerset, where this week a major incident was declared; forgive the idiom, but we’ve been hung out to dry.

I shall continue to try to meet expectations, and if others feel I’ve got it wrong, then I shall just have to take it on the chin.

Grant for outdoor learning at Swanmead

As featured in Yeovil Press:

http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2014/01/22/grant-for-outdoor-learning-at-swanmead/

Rennard - Cunning Like a Fox?

As the Liberal Democrats tear themselves apart in the wake of the Lord Rennard saga, and await the outcome of his suspension from the party, this is a story that has yet to reach its conclusion.

I couldn’t help but observe that for all but an additional ‘n’ in his surname he could be Renard, French for a male fox, described as being sly and cunning.

However, I would not want to cast aspersions as to his sound character, as to date he has not been found guilty of the charges of inappropriate behaviour lodged by his former female colleagues.  

I for one feel that he has no need to apologise, if indeed he is innocent. In demanding such an apology, what is it exactly that his party are asking him apologise for? For having upset them sufficiently to have felt that they needed to make a complaint?

There are those that I work with, due to my bawdy sense of humour, who have said on occasion ‘If she were a man she’d be had up for sexual harassment.’ Fortunately that has not happened, but I am increasingly mindful of the impact my behaviour has on others, whether offence were intended or not.  

In my younger days I well recall being chased around the kitchen table by an elderly titled gentleman for whom I was the housekeeper at the time. I left not long afterwards, but not before he had let down the tyres on my car in revenge. However, it did not occur to me to report it, in part because I was in private employment, and whilst his advances repulsed me,  I admit to having a rather nonchalant approach towards unwanted sexual attention.

Far from being a shy retiring type, if I were ever to be on the receiving end of such an infringement of my personal liberty again I would be likely to return the assault, only much harder, or more likely say something along the lines of ‘Keep your hands off, you can’t afford me.’, thereafter ensuring I did not put myself in a position for it to be repeated.

In the case of these particular women, not being fully familiar with the exact nature of the advances or propositions, I feel that a swift upper cut would have done the job nicely, with a resulting black eye to prove it; in self-defence of course. That would not be something to sweep under the carpet in smug denial.

However, the real point is that in his position as the Chairman of the party he would have been able to yield significant power, and those lodging complaints would surely have been in fear of losing their jobs; which is unacceptable in any civilised society.

Sadly, this kind of situation is not uncommon, even if it does not normally dominate the national news. On a daily basis there are many who are harassed, or bullied, particularly in a work environment, with the perpetrator going about their dubious business in the full knowledge of the protection that their position of power affords them. Until we all take a firm stance it will continue.

ALL CHANGE – OFF YOU GO

 

There can be no doubt that we now live in a fast changing environment, but for most of us in paid employment the very term ‘change management’ can instil a sense of fear and dread, and quite rightly so.

Companies may choose to use whatever modern jargon they like but ‘change management’ has, for many companies, become a euphemism for redundancy, along with the words ‘efficiency savings’.

In the modern business world I can think of no instance in which enforced change, in terms of the way an organisation goes about its business, or in its efforts to become more efficient, can be effective without total employee involvement. By this I mean not just tick box consultation. Of course many of us are naturally resistant to any change, but in many cases this is born out of bitter personal experience, where is has all ended in tears for some, and apart from a temporary feeling of relief, a strong resentment in those that are left, wondering when and whether or not it will be their turn next.

Several years ago, in my role as a business advisor, I was asked by a company to lead a session for all of their employees on ‘change management’.

I began my presentation by outlining its key aims – ‘to enable employees to

consider ways in which we can work together to ensure a successful future in a challenging market’. So far so good. I then followed this up with one of many definitions of change management: the co-ordination of a structured period of transition from one situation to another, in order to achieve lasting change within an organisation.

I cannot believe just how naïve I was at the time.

Wanting to make a positive impression, and taking into account the diversity of the workforce, I used the humble potato to demonstrate how such an everyday foodstuff had maintained its market share, by continual development of its image, in a fast changing environment. This has been achieved by increasing its usefulness as food product, and by being adaptable in the wake of increasing competition from new products. Discovered by Sir Walter Raleigh during Queen Elizabeth 1’s reign, the potato has gone from being a dirt ridden tuber, that had to be dug from the ground before being peeled and cooked, right through to the ready washed varieties all bagged up and ready to go, to its transformation into many forms such as crisps, instant mash, croquettes, oven chips ….. that we are familiar with today. The list is endless.

To further illustrate my point I gave everyone that attended the session a freshly dug potato. Nice touch, I thought.

Not long afterwards the next wave of redundancies was announced, and everyone thought I was in on it.

I pride myself on my honest and open approach and felt a complete fool, diminished somehow in the minds of those I worked with. You can be sure I won’t be going down that route again in a hurry. In the case of one person, every time they see me they mention the potato.

Corrie Suicide - having control over your life

On seeing the significant amount of news coverage in relation to Hayley's suicide in last night's episode of Coronation Street, it is no surprise to me, as a local Samaritan, to learn that the organisation had a number of volunteers on red alert to take calls. It is of course an emotional topic, and one that volunteers are used to handling every time they are on duty, but would never, ever, become complacent about.
It is however, given Hayley's condition and the severity of her pancreatic cancer, not an unusual scenario.
With many of those in distress it is the feeling of not being in control that can sometimes be most frightening. By choosing to end their life there is a feeling of being able to influence the outcome, to determine when, where and how they might die. 
We also see the same situation with those who have eating disorders. It is to all intents and purposes, about having a say over your life when it seems unmanageable. 
What does happen is that the feelings are so intense there is often a lack of understanding of the distress it can cause to their loved ones. This is because they are not in a mental state to be able to rationalise their actions. Whether it is through illness, loss of a loved one, a breakdown in relationships, money or job worries, we all have our own breaking point. It is then that Samaritans come into their own, providing confidential emotional support, 24/7, without prejudice, to those in distress or despair.

Hollande adultery saga - not all it's cracked up to be

In the wake of the Holland-Trierweiler-Gayet saga, ‘move in with your mistress and create a vacancy’ might well be the modern day message for Oscar Wilde's much quoted saying, since poached by Sir James Goldsmith. 
The public seem to continue to have a fascination with other people’s sex lives, in a voyeuristic way, particularly for those in the public eye. Perhaps in the absence of our own satisfaction, the unveiling of such intimate detail satisfies.
In the case of Hollande, although there is much more open acceptance on the continent for the odd dalliance, this very public diversion will have done his political reputation little harm, as long as he is seen to keep his eye on the economy. Many of his compatriots will be thinking, 'there but for the grace of God go I'.
Whilst I do feel sorry for Mme. Treirweiler, her recent shunting aside in the stakes for Hollande’s affections is not entirely unexpected, given what has emerged about her relationship, or lack of it, with his children. Offspring can be very unforgiving when a parent chooses to replace their own mother or father with someone else, more often than not, thinner, richer, younger and presumably more nubile. In this case it would appear that the introduction of Ms. Gayet into the mix was entirely intentional.
Mme. Trierweiler's overdose is unlikely to have been with the clear intention to end her life, more a cry for help and attention. None of us likes to be replaced by a younger model, but it is hardly surprising, given Hollande’s advancing years; he will want to prove that he still has what it takes. As cruel as it may seem, what is probably bothering her more is the loss of status, financial stability and public humiliation. There's many a person that will sadly put up with intolerable behaviour for security; and many feel they have no choice. The sending of flowers and chocolates, having been banned from visiting her in hospital is in itself an indication of his lack of concern.
Why would any self-respecting woman want to be with such a man?

Hayley's Corrie death puts Samaritans on red alert

As featured in Yeovil Press:

http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2014/01/21/hayley-s-corrie-death-puts-samaritans-on-red-alert/