OluwaWizzy:
Hello OP,
As much as this concerns leadership, it still boils down to people management.

In management communication, there is a concept called "bottom to top" & "top to bottom"
As a top executive of the organisation, create a platform for engagement with all staff. Use the approach of growth as it concerns you, the students and the staff.

Clearly state how you seek to build structure for the organisation. Also attend leadership and management workshop, not neglecting your subordinate to drink out of the knowledge river as well.

On the contrary, do you really shout at staff??

Thank you for advice.
He needs to work on how he relates with the teachers and the securities? You don’t scold,there's always ways you can pass your message without being rude. Op sounded like authoritarian person.

healthserve:




I wish I could tell him to investigate what killed his father. And that people die even in their own affairs from issues like this. Overall I don't see only bad staffs, I see an immature handler here. That's all I see. And if he's not smart, they'll do him harm.


Cc Jokerman. Can we talk? Can I have your undivided attention?

Toor I av told him my own..jokerman try compromise with ur staff.. For the money issue, u r right but try treat other things with care.. Don't be to disciplined.. Don't scatter ur father school Cox of ur discipline.. U av done no wrong and at the same time chill down... People of the world will take offence even if u r right

Well I will advise that you institute a form of weekly staff meeting. Where everyone get to air their views, contribution and anger to you on the meetings. But definitely there are some of them that really needs to go, there are some of them peddling the antagonist approach by the teachers. So do your secret investigation to fish out the perpetrators. Put effort to get training in human relations and business management

Jokerman:
Hello. I need advice on this topic

About a year ago, my Dad died, being an owner of a primary school with my mom, thereafter o assumed head of the school, although I run my own freelance engineering installation and maintenance service on HVACs and Diesel engines.

In course of this education line, I'm obtaining my certificate in PGDE( in view).

Now this is the case...

There are some old staff in the school then whom use to collect school fees on behalf of the school and you know Nigerians, instead of remitting the fees to the school, they divert and scam and even go as far as lending money to different people in the vicinity.

However since I took over, I forcefully stopped the collection, and redirected all fees to be paid at the bank. Mhen, it was not small trouble, fight, gossiping, spoiling me at the back etc, but I never listened to such, and right now no one collects these fees again... Everything goes through me coz I'm trying to sanitize it. I also required the services of a registered security company operator (sheriff deputies) for the school

Problems I needed advice

1. Sometimes these rebellion. They gossip and talk evil to people that I'm very harsh etc

2. I have changed 2 security operators because of compromises with these staff. I will give instruction, Buh those they'd do otherwise and bend to what other older staff tell them. Recently, the present security did something contrary and I scolded him toughly. Recently, he had an alteration with a parent and I asked him to just plead with her. He refused blatantly. I was surprised and even my mom too. He said he doesn't like the way I scold him and that's why bla bla bla, infront of all other staff. My mom asked me not to change him Buh I'm skeptical

I already feel like changing him with his company supervisor coz he lives around the vicinity and he now gossips with those old staff who might be telling him I'm too young to order him to do things

4. These old staffs are like friends to my mom and they already carry a lot of influence with most of the parents (which I also cut off too). One of them is wife to my mom's brother

5. My mother has been telling me to be patient even my wife. I do not want to employ an headteacher until I change a lot of things

The school has about 300-350 pupils, and employs 18 staff

Advice needed

Increase the old staff salaries and create salary penalties for any staff that misbehaves.

That’s what they did back then when I was in school.

Lateness you’re school- minus 500 naira
Lateness to class- minus 200 naira
Unorderliness- minus 200 naira.


Make it properly stated and have it pasted in the staff rooms if possible so that there will be no excuses.


But first of all if you can increase the salaries of the old/worthy staff. The rest will fall in line

See majority of Nigerians cannot differentiate between business and pleasure.

Sack all the old staff, not minding whose ox is gored.

Develop a new appointment letter, stating all dos and don'ts , as you deem fit and also share this with remaining old staff, who are not affected by the sack.

Have an emergency PTA meeting with the Parents in Q1 2020, enlighten the Parents of the changes in your staff head count and the need for them to embrace the change.Make it an interactive session, take the minutes and feedbacks seriously and work on any one that needs serious attention in line with your vision. Ensure, you give them food, drinks and small souvenirs.

Try to look at other areas, you can use such escortion and other activities to boost the children academic programme, especially those things your Dad never did. Be innovative.

Develop a new agreement template and SLA with the security outfit. Tell the operators that you want them to with you as partners in progress,so it will be a win win situation for you and their company.

Finally, do checks and balances periodically , be very prayerful and see how you will improving on your experiences and also devote more time to the school.

Good luck.

reminds me of one Indian movie "chalk and dusters"

OluwaWizzy:
Hello OP,
As much as this concerns leadership, it still boils down to people management.

In management communication, there is a concept called "bottom to top" & "top to bottom"
As a top executive of the organisation, create a platform for engagement with all staff. Use the approach of growth as it concerns you, the students and the staff.

Clearly state how you seek to build structure for the organisation. Also attend leadership and management workshop, not neglecting your subordinate to drink out of the knowledge river as well.

On the contrary, do you really shout at staff??

I wonder oo

Jokerman:
I only shouted at the security man once coz I asked him to do something. He didn't coz I believe he's listening to talks. I have always asked him to flash my number when he doesn't understand something Buh he wouldn't... The next time I asked him to do something, and he refused blatantly, that's he's doing his job and his reason in front of other staff was that he didn't like the way I talked to him.. I wanted to call his company Buh my mom is saying I shouldn't although I would still change him

I feel he's feeling he's older than me, and I can't be ordering him around.

I stopped the collection of fees by this staff because they were using the money anyhow, borrowing other staff money and other people in the vicinity, so much it became a laughing stock. So when I assumed this post, I sent bulk messages to all our parents that school fees to any staff is stopped. Some found it hard to stop, hence why I introduced strictness

Now they go spoiling me this and that. I hear this stuff but I pay no attention to that. At my front, they behave, at my back, Na so so talk

How old are u sir?
Seems your father was extremely lenient with them & now u boy is coming in to form tough. They will certainly resist u, it happens everywhere. It would have been different if your father had laid down these rules. You need to take it gradually, because your dad had already set a standard, bringing something very different from what ur dad laid down means problem. The who is he will come in, a little boy of yesterday. So take it gradually, changes should be gradual. It should have been the change in method of fees payment alone for now, while u gradually change other things. But u see that security man, u will need to sack him. But I hope all u have stated here is the truth? That u are not being too hard on them?

Jokerman:
Hello. I need advice on this topic

About a year ago, my Dad died, being an owner of a primary school with my mom, thereafter o assumed head of the school, although I run my own freelance engineering installation and maintenance service on HVACs and Diesel engines.

In course of this education line, I'm obtaining my certificate in PGDE( in view).

Now this is the case...

There are some old staff in the school then whom use to collect school fees on behalf of the school and you know Nigerians, instead of remitting the fees to the school, they divert and scam and even go as far as lending money to different people in the vicinity.

However since I took over, I forcefully stopped the collection, and redirected all fees to be paid at the bank. Mhen, it was not small trouble, fight, gossiping, spoiling me at the back etc, but I never listened to such, and right now no one collects these fees again... Everything goes through me coz I'm trying to sanitize it. I also required the services of a registered security company operator (sheriff deputies) for the school

Problems I needed advice

1. Sometimes these rebellion. They gossip and talk evil to people that I'm very harsh etc

2. I have changed 2 security operators because of compromises with these staff. I will give instruction, Buh those they'd do otherwise and bend to what other older staff tell them. Recently, the present security did something contrary and I scolded him toughly. Recently, he had an alteration with a parent and I asked him to just plead with her. He refused blatantly. I was surprised and even my mom too. He said he doesn't like the way I scold him and that's why bla bla bla, infront of all other staff. My mom asked me not to change him Buh I'm skeptical

I already feel like changing him with his company supervisor coz he lives around the vicinity and he now gossips with those old staff who might be telling him I'm too young to order him to do things

4. These old staffs are like friends to my mom and they already carry a lot of influence with most of the parents (which I also cut off too). One of them is wife to my mom's brother

5. My mother has been telling me to be patient even my wife. I do not want to employ an headteacher until I change a lot of things

The school has about 300-350 pupils, and employs 18 staff

Advice needed

Increase their salaries as much as you can without giving the school an unbearable financial burden. But your move for payment into bank is the best. The money doesn't belong to them.

Consider bringing in an outside consultant to join you in your bid to sanitize the school.

Clearly, all isn't well. But as I said increase their salaries as much as is possible without crippling your family or the school. My thoughts.

Jokerman:
Hello. I need advice on this topic

About a year ago, my Dad died, being an owner of a primary school with my mom, thereafter o assumed head of the school, although I run my own freelance engineering installation and maintenance service on HVACs and Diesel engines.

In course of this education line, I'm obtaining my certificate in PGDE( in view).

Now this is the case...

There are some old staff in the school then whom use to collect school fees on behalf of the school and you know Nigerians, instead of remitting the fees to the school, they divert and scam and even go as far as lending money to different people in the vicinity.

However since I took over, I forcefully stopped the collection, and redirected all fees to be paid at the bank. Mhen, it was not small trouble, fight, gossiping, spoiling me at the back etc, but I never listened to such, and right now no one collects these fees again... Everything goes through me coz I'm trying to sanitize it. I also required the services of a registered security company operator (sheriff deputies) for the school

Problems I needed advice

1. Sometimes these rebellion. They gossip and talk evil to people that I'm very harsh etc

2. I have changed 2 security operators because of compromises with these staff. I will give instruction, Buh those they'd do otherwise and bend to what other older staff tell them. Recently, the present security did something contrary and I scolded him toughly. Recently, he had an alteration with a parent and I asked him to just plead with her. He refused blatantly. I was surprised and even my mom too. He said he doesn't like the way I scold him and that's why bla bla bla, infront of all other staff. My mom asked me not to change him Buh I'm skeptical

I already feel like changing him with his company supervisor coz he lives around the vicinity and he now gossips with those old staff who might be telling him I'm too young to order him to do things

4. These old staffs are like friends to my mom and they already carry a lot of influence with most of the parents (which I also cut off too). One of them is wife to my mom's brother

5. My mother has been telling me to be patient even my wife. I do not want to employ an headteacher until I change a lot of things

The school has about 300-350 pupils, and employs 18 staff

Advice needed

How long have you been managing the school?

Where is the school located?

What percentage of the teachers do you have on your side?

Try and win some of the teachers to your side.

Attend seminars and courses on school management. Try and get enough knowledge on school management, curriculum development, education etc.

Have regular meetings with the parents and teachers, by attending parents teachers forum and make intelligent contributions at such meetings.

Befriend other school owners who are older than you and have made great success in the school business.

You need to earn the respect of your teachers and parents, by being knowledgeable about the school business management as a whole.

Make sure a certain amount of money is ploughed back into the business every term, parents are confident about growing and developing school. When pupils come back from the holidays, they must find something new about the school through the addition of more facilities, renovations etc.

Ensure you create visibility for your by making sure the school participate and win laurels in academic and co-curricular activities in the community, local government and the state. Nothing sells a school more than this.

Brand your school and make sure you become the face of the brand, in a matter of 2 years no teacher will become indispensable because by then you would have become the brain and strategist behind the continuity, sustainability and growth of the business.

Because most Nigerian businesses die immediately the founder gets old or dies. You should break this jinx.

You know what to do. Stop asking us for advise. Replace anyone that doesn't conform. Unless you're not in charge.

Sack that security sharp sharp.

How can employee be fronting for oga, even if the ogaa small like pin.

Moreover, don't even threaten any of them with sack when they misbehave, implement the sack, by the time you sack about five of them without any warning, others will behave well.

.

Jokerman:
Hello. I need advice on this topic

About a year ago, my Dad died, being an owner of a primary school with my mom, thereafter o assumed head of the school, although I run my own freelance engineering installation and maintenance service on HVACs and Diesel engines.

In course of this education line, I'm obtaining my certificate in PGDE( in view).

Now this is the case...

There are some old staff in the school then whom use to collect school fees on behalf of the school and you know Nigerians, instead of remitting the fees to the school, they divert and scam and even go as far as lending money to different people in the vicinity.

However since I took over, I forcefully stopped the collection, and redirected all fees to be paid at the bank. Mhen, it was not small trouble, fight, gossiping, spoiling me at the back etc, but I never listened to such, and right now no one collects these fees again... Everything goes through me coz I'm trying to sanitize it. I also required the services of a registered security company operator (sheriff deputies) for the school

Problems I needed advice

1. Sometimes these rebellion. They gossip and talk evil to people that I'm very harsh etc

2. I have changed 2 security operators because of compromises with these staff. I will give instruction, Buh those they'd do otherwise and bend to what other older staff tell them. Recently, the present security did something contrary and I scolded him toughly. Recently, he had an alteration with a parent and I asked him to just plead with her. He refused blatantly. I was surprised and even my mom too. He said he doesn't like the way I scold him and that's why bla bla bla, infront of all other staff. My mom asked me not to change him Buh I'm skeptical

I already feel like changing him with his company supervisor coz he lives around the vicinity and he now gossips with those old staff who might be telling him I'm too young to order him to do things

4. These old staffs are like friends to my mom and they already carry a lot of influence with most of the parents (which I also cut off too). One of them is wife to my mom's brother

5. My mother has been telling me to be patient even my wife. I do not want to employ an headteacher until I change a lot of things

The school has about 300-350 pupils, and employs 18 staff

Advice needed

Get an outside consultant to partner with you as interim head teacher. Give Oga security query joor.

Okay! First off, you need to COMMUNICATE reasons why you've taken the steps you've taken so far..for transparency sakes. You even need to have them documented in an Employee handbook. Let that clear the air about their false accusations.. Let the world see your corporate goals and what you're trying to achieve.

Secondly, you need to weed out as many as you deem are not for the progress of the school. You can use a Consulting company to carry out a staff audit to execute this! You seem to be running on sentiments...and that's what they've been using to exploit the school. If you're SURE they've abused the opportunity and are not for the progress of the institution, they have to leave...for the progress of the school and safety of your life!

Then recruit competent hands using a Consulting firm too...they have to be strategic with this. And ensure it's with a company that offers recruitment replacement warranty at no cost should you not find any of the new hires hitting the ground running. To attract the best new hands you can improve on the pay slightly in order to be competitive and retain them.

If you're in Lagos, you can talk to me for more guidance. I'm a Human Resources Consultant.

brother mi, if u sack ur staff becoz of what they gossip about you, the new staff you employ will also gossip.. there are some things in life that are normal and no one can change that...

the best advice anyone can give you is to be diplomatic in whatsoever that ure doing with people, though i bliv you just spoke your part and i also bliv they av their own part of the story.... but sumtyms C.E.O's have their own faults and the staff might not av the courage to say it in front of them becoz of fear of sack etc... i am saying this and i knw many would agree with me becoz some of us here work under people.

bro, the worst mistake you will do is to sack all of them but at the same time in an organization everybody can be changed, so play the game cool. arrange meeting with ur staff, be free with them. But, like a wolf always knw when to act, and as for the age factor its not a new thing coz we are in Nigeria and we knw things like this happen everyday.

my last piece of advice: read books on leadership, never act when you are angry bcoz u av the absolute power in the school and absolute power can corrupt your mind if ure not careful. if your father that owned the school allowed some of the things to be happening and yet the school is still running then there might be something you are missing.. take ur time, think things through and sack staff when necessary.

stay safe bro... and be careful remember diplomacy is a very vital tool when use wisely.... use diplomacy

helinues:
I think you are being too bossy..

Your mum, wife and some staffs cant be wrong..

Take things easy bros

That is my fear
Op might be too bossy
There should be a balance to make a good leader

Such are the problems faced by every business owner providing employment in Nigeria. You get to to deal with thieves which unfortunately is........................ .............. EVERYONE!

kimanna:
Leadership : it may seem sudden that you assumed this position without proper school management training, truth is old hands have wealth of experience, try to be diplomatic with them. Remember command respect not ask for it. You really are asking with irredeemable mistakes.
People management
Diplomacy: approach each issue diplomatically.
Go Digital Things should be done digitally.
Learn from old hands, keep learning.

You still said nothing.


WHAT EXACTLY SHOULD HE BE DIPLOMATIC ABOUT?
DISOBEDIENCE FROM A SECURITY STAFF?

Gordson:
Sack that security sharp sharp.

How can employee be fronting for oga, even if the ogaa small like pin

Yes he should sack the security guard, or he should suspend him, I don't entertain any subordinate who undermines my authority.

Hi Op!

You made good strategic measures there and you seem a very good strategist I must commend...

However, just note that the corruption and mismanagement level are always on a high side in all biz setting; some staffs having no investment or share wud even stand at an angle having a higher ROI than the investor! They all at the verge of ruining it all, they all normally planning no good.

Just be more prayerful bcus they can get to you spiritually I don’t know how much you bliv in spirituality*

And pls sack the security man! Just tell the his boss you need someone younger and not him anymore! You dint employ him directly so you shd just go tru the boss you paying*

Plus, pls relax abit on the principles n tactics you introducing; they know better than you; probably some of them watch you growing... so you still need that family sense to get them together and make them respect you*

People will keep talking n gossiping; just use your deaf ears when you see it coming

realgideon:
Change all of them one after the other...

See yeye advice

Crystalclara:
Omoh sack them all and do a fresh recruitment. The bad eggs are much, before they ruin your effort.

Naive and young advice. Sacking people and not giving them and their families sudden hard times is not the answer. The OP is doing a great job. He doesn't need to sack anybody unless they do something wrong that warrants a sack. OP only needs to grow a tough skin against gossip. This is something that comes with maturity. He will get there .

CuteNbad:
Baba sack them else you wont progress cause they wont wish you well.I know it's a hard decision but you gat to do what you gat to do. Man up and sack their jealous ass. Their will always be people ready to take their place. This is the best you can get

Was the school not progressing before he took over? He doesn't need to sack anyone. He just needs to be a better manager and stop acting like a small oga.

I work for a company where I give maximum respect to my kids. If there is any form of disrespect from them you better send them packing. But if you want them to toy with you then let them be.



I understand this is a one sided story but if everything you said is true then the work force must be bled

They will fall in line... Continue with the progressive changes...

Meanwhile, I have solutions that can generate more income for your school... Contact me

Get professionals and let them do a re entry process for them, by doing test and interview... Anyone that doesn't meet the required standard that has been communicated to them earlier should go....

And remember school business has to do with relationship especially with the parents, look for a way to be close to with parents before doing the above, or else they would go with some of the students....

zorani:


Naive and young advice. Sacking people and not giving them and their families sudden hard times is not the answer. The OP is doing a great job. He doesn't need to sack anybody unless they do something wrong that warrants a sack. OP only needs to grow a tough skin against gossip. This is something that comes with maturity. He will get there .

Baba, they are questioning his authority, my brother if your employee don start to dey confront you openly that means they have no regard for you at all. They believe you can't do shit bout them.
Show them you are the boss sack about 5+ out of 18.

They will never confront you openly again if they still wanna remain in your establishment.

I'm even boiling within me right now when I heard you gave a security man instruction and he flouted it. For goodness sake, you pay the security company and you should get professional service from them. That is gross insorbodination. Report him to his company and have him changed as soon as possible.
With regards to the staff, get an experienced head teacher for the school and explain the terms and condition of his contract and your expectations from him. Do not tolerate indolence from any staff member. Too much familiarity will spell doom for the school. Any staff member that is not ready to align him or herself to the dreams and objectives of the school should be changed immediately. The fact that your dad gave them free hand does not mean you will follow the same pattern. Above all, be nice to them and always pray for God's guidance and direction.

ppogba:
The staff seem to have problem with your age more than anything else. You are just experience what I can call the " mini Nigerian syndrome." That is, attempt making a positive change and the whole world goes against you.

The school has a size able number of pupils. If it is possible, employ and old experience person as a school administrator who handles the whole thing excluding finance and reports to you directly.

Give the administrator a free hand and if it is possible, head hunt such a person from a competing school.

He doesn't need older oga, he should act and be the boss.

Simple!

Sack the most influential of them.

But be ready to bring in young and qualified teacher. Be hands on, start to get to know the parents more....

Introduce monthly sacking and recruitment they will behave