OP, get a few people to understand that you are trying to build the school and the benefit of doing so. Let them be your disciple and watch the bad eggs leave on their own

Before I start reading comments. Dear OP I sincerely commend your moves. The problem in your school is a reflection of a bigger problem in Nigeria.

Corruption. Nepotism. Sentiments.

Here you are trying to sanitize a system. A system and your business, and corruption is fighting back when you fight it.

Abeg, we need more people like you in this country. Because in your own small way and space, you are trying to fix a faulty system.

You must develop a thick skin to their side talks, gossips and harsh talks as long as you know with strong conviction you are doing the right thing.

These people sound dangerous. Make your safety paramount, you need to consult with some decent sane minds and brainstorm ways you can sanitize that school without necessarily being in the picture.

That school will not remain standing if it's mismanaged, all the so called friends and old staff will leave.

Sometimes, to win your battles, you play dirty too. I can't tell you how, but you have to beat this people at their games too.

It's a tough task you are saddled with, don't relent.

The school must be in our environment we the yorubas.. Most are rigid especially when they feel you're younger.

Hire one intermediate person that will be discharging your talks to them reduce direct instructions.. And sack the person when your orders are not followed.

Pls find a way to endear all those old witches in the school... Or hire me as a consultant if you are in lagos... Both physical and spiritual warfare would be used

Saltybear:
[s][/s]

You sound like you grew up in a village in some back water swamp .with very little exposure

Your brain can't comprehend my demo hence why you think it's trash

So alas go and break your palm kernels and discuss with the village women by the fire while we city folk strategize

I know you are myopic in thinking. And your myopicness has limited your brain to your personal view alone. Probably you are surrounded by some lowlifers like you. So, another other important view will be like an attack to your personality. So continue with your miniscule views while you think you are typing a meaningful opinions.


Oode! Oponu!

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

Boss. Understand that the school you are running is a business not a charity and demand full control in writing from your mum before carrying out changes.

Do not care if the staff are your family members or your parents friends or whatever. If you must carry our changes, do it with full authority and not half measures. My advice to you is sack everyone you inherited and employ your own loyalists. Otherwise, you will face problems especially litigation from some of them and they will ruin your reputation.

You have to be Machiavellian when you are in business. Take action on anything immediately.

I have gone through the same issue you just mentioned; in this case, it's an inheritance leftover by my dad. As the eldest, the natural position of authority fell on my person and that did not go down well with my siblings and some tenants. One told me I cannot sack him from his shop and I exerted my God given authority by court eviction orders after a litigation that spanned six months, I ended up evicting two of them only to find out that the entire tenants numbering ten be have ganged up against my authority. Ever since I have waited for everyone to finish up his rent before evicting them.

There was a hotel where the staff wielded much power than the owner somewhere here. They took advantage of his old age to carry out nefarious activities.

When his son took over, he announced changes that those who had stayed with his organization for ten years should be retired, which angered the staff. It led to death threats to the young man. But unfortunately for the staff, the young man had made similar changes while working with a hotel abroad and knew the repercussions. He reported the death threats to the security agencies and stormed the building at 4.30 am the following morning with the agents when the night shift was about closing. He had made arrangements that guests should be transferred to a nearby hotel to enable him carry out those changes. At 7.am, he did a roll call and as each one's name was mentioned, a cheque of his entitlements was given and the staff escorted outside the premises.

These are example of right and authority. Time waits for no one and act rightly. if I were you I would use the next summer holidays to execute any plans for changes. If you fail to make these changes, you will regret it.

C'est la meme chose.

rhames:


Boss. Understand that the school you are running is a business not a charity and demand full control in writing from your mum before carrying out changes.

Do not care if the staff are your family members or your parents friends or whatever. If you must carry our changes, do it with full authority and not half measures. My advice to you is sack everyone you inherited and employ your own loyalists. Otherwise, you will face problems especially litigation from some of them and they will ruin your reputation.

You have to be Machiavellian when you are in business. Take action on anything immediately.

I have gone through the same issue you just mentioned; in this case, it's an inheritance leftover by my dad. As the eldest, the natural position of authority fell on my person and that did not go down well with my siblings and some tenants. One told me I cannot sack him from his shop and I exerted my God given authority by court eviction orders after a litigation that spanned six months, I ended up evicting two of them only to find out that the entire tenants numbering ten be have ganged up against my authority. Ever since I have waited for everyone to finish up his rent before evicting them.

There was a hotel where the staff wielded much power than the owner somewhere here. They took advantage of his old age to carry out nefarious activities.

When his son took over, he announced changes that those who had stayed with his organization for ten years should be retired, which angered the staff. It led to death threats to the young man. But unfortunately for the staff, the young man had made similar changes while working with a hotel abroad and knew the repercussions. He reported the death threats to the security agencies and stormed the building at 4.30 am the following morning with the agents when the night shift was about closing. He had made arrangements that guests should be transferred to a nearby hotel to enable him carry out those changes. At 7.am, he did a roll call and as each one's name was mentioned, a cheque of his entitlements was given and the staff escorted outside the premises.

These are example of right and authority. Time waits for no one and act rightly. if I were you I would use the next summer holidays to execute any plans for changes. If you fail to make these changes, you will regret it.

C'est la meme chose.

These are golden information that cannot be taught in any business school.

As the boss you have to assert your authority. There is what is called chain of authority and it stops at your table.

wirinet:


These are golden information that cannot be taught in any business school.

As the boss you have to assert your authority. There is what is called chain of authority and it stops at your table.

In my own case, I will unleash hell as soon as I appreciate the problem. No time to waste.

Huunn, stand on your feet, there are ways of letting pp know that you don't hate them you only want the best, if they do well appreciate them in any form you think is OK, if they back bit you ignoring them but be care full. Check on them and try to make friend with them even if you don't really mean it. You can also increase there salary has advised by some one.

Op

You need a human resources manager.. That will put communication structure and some level of indirect Management in place.

I can help as a HR consultant.. I have handle similar settings before

rhames:


In my own case, I will unleash hell as soon as I appreciate the problem. No time to waste.

No you have to be strategic and not be impatient. As someone suggested, he should wait till the end of the session. Carrying out disruptive activities in the middle of the session would affect the school.
He should cope as much as he could till the end of the session around July next year. He can then sack everyone and asked interstate staff to reapply. He will have 2 months to put things in order.

[s]

Gforce2015:


I know you are myopic in thinking. And your myopicness has limited your brain to your personal view alone. Probably you are surrounded by some lowlifers like you. So, another other important view will be like an attack to your personality. So continue with your miniscule views while you think you are typing a meaningful opinions.


Oode! Oponu!

[/s]

Leave the village and see the world , you won't have such a narrow minded point of view

Dolt

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

You have to be careful with sacking teaching staff bc some parents may withdraw their children when an excellent teacher leaves.

Nevertheless such drastic decision should be taken as a last option esp against an insubordinate teacher.

Explore other disciplinary measures like half salary in the mean time.

Jayess:


You don't know anything, have you heard stories of people that lose their lives by attacks from their employees, if he wants to be safe he has to act humbly, even if he will fire them later. A true leader has no problem saying sorry. Some people have no heart man, it's how far you have seen anyway, if I get the poster very well, his dad died on the issue.... Saying sorry is not weakness man!

I have been reading comments here for some time: some I like, some I find interesting, and some I don't find desirable. But your comment is very special, in a very negative way. That is why I chose to quote you.

You see....whether you fear death or not , you will still die. The "fear of death" and "timidity" that your comment is encouraging will not make those who apply your logic invulnerable to death. In fact, those who apply your logic will have two problems: first, they will still die, like all men would, both bold and timid. Secondly, in their lifetime, they would not be able to attract substantial respect from both their inferiors and superiors.

At op, you are doing a good job. Just don't let power corrupt you. When it's the right time for action, hit hard. Other times, just keep calm and strategize.

charles009:
If I run that school, I wont have to speak a word or fire anybody to make them align. Op you cut the figure of a man with a weak mentality/presence.

You must NOT listen to the people advising you to divide and rule, its a sign of weakness that you are NOT in charge. For you to succeed in the business world, you must appear a man without emotion/ruthless/sinister/evil.

HIRE a HR executive/manager whatever. I call them the ultimate snippers. Her first role will be a school policy book, with emphasis on the sanction grid.

Weak personality is a recipe for disaster, you must appear unapproachable in this early time, ensure you have the PTA standing with you. Speak less, act more.

For that security that talked back, ensure he is suspended/sacked. You must make people pay for their indiscretion. Gradually bring in new team that will be overly loyal to you. Every other person will fall into shape.

Enough said

why me and you go dey think alike?

Op, the divide-and-rule strategy can backfire, and backfire seriously. You are not the only one calculating...your target is calculating too. If you want to keep an enemy that close, make sure it is an enemy you can control. Otherwise dem go even collect the school from you sef.

It is better to be high-handed and still maintain your position as the number one man, than to toy with this silly idea and then lose your place. It will be better that you had sold that school out initially. In conclusion, if this person you want to experiment this "divide-and-rule" idea is a variable that you are not sure of controlling, please don't try it

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

I will let you know this

The only thing you require from your subordinates is LOYALTY!

If you can't get that from them, you have failed as a leader.

Spare the road and spoil the child.

rhames:


Boss. Understand that the school you are running is a business not a charity and demand full control in writing from your mum before carrying out changes.

Do not care if the staff are your family members or your parents friends or whatever. If you must carry our changes, do it with full authority and not half measures. My advice to you is sack everyone you inherited and employ your own loyalists. Otherwise, you will face problems especially litigation from some of them and they will ruin your reputation.

You have to be Machiavellian when you are in business. Take action on anything immediately.

I have gone through the same issue you just mentioned; in this case, it's an inheritance leftover by my dad. As the eldest, the natural position of authority fell on my person and that did not go down well with my siblings and some tenants. One told me I cannot sack him from his shop and I exerted my God given authority by court eviction orders after a litigation that spanned six months, I ended up evicting two of them only to find out that the entire tenants numbering ten be have ganged up against my authority. Ever since I have waited for everyone to finish up his rent before evicting them.

There was a hotel where the staff wielded much power than the owner somewhere here. They took advantage of his old age to carry out nefarious activities.

When his son took over, he announced changes that those who had stayed with his organization for ten years should be retired, which angered the staff. It led to death threats to the young man. But unfortunately for the staff, the young man had made similar changes while working with a hotel abroad and knew the repercussions. He reported the death threats to the security agencies and stormed the building at 4.30 am the following morning with the agents when the night shift was about closing. He had made arrangements that guests should be transferred to a nearby hotel to enable him carry out those changes. At 7.am, he did a roll call and as each one's name was mentioned, a cheque of his entitlements was given and the staff escorted outside the premises.

These are example of right and authority. Time waits for no one and act rightly. if I were you I would use the next summer holidays to execute any plans for changes. If you fail to make these changes, you will regret it.

C'est la meme chose.

Thank you... I appreciate this

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

Bros
Grow up. By your decisions, you are doing well. Secretly look for the leader of the pack, give him or her a false hope and when a mistake arise then fire her without any form of pay. Carry yourself with some respect too, if not why would a security man even talk back at you for that matter. Stop listening to gossip, only get strategic info. Remember, it's not a community school, it's your family inheritance.
Bros, you need some leadership training for real.
The Lord is your strength.

Jeferious:
I have been reading comments here for some time: some I like, some I find interesting, and some I don't find desirable. But your comment is very special, in a very negative way. That is why I chose to quote you.

You see....whether you fear death or not , you will still die. The "fear of death" and "timidity" that your comment is encouraging will not make those who apply your logic invulnerable to death. In fact, those who apply your logic will have two problems: first, they will still die, like all men would, both bold and timid. Secondly, in their lifetime, they would not be able to attract substantial respect from both their inferiors and superiors.

At op, you are doing a good job. Just don't let power corrupt you. When it's the right time for action, hit hard. Other times, just keep calm and strategize.

Don't worry about what happens to people who use my logic, but for me it has always worked and through it I get well along with employees and followers, with a chunk of respect from every one of them.
Don't criticize what you have not tried using. You have to treat your employees they way you want to be treated if you were there employee. And I'm not in any way insinuating that I'm scared of anyone or anything. But I like treating people the way I love to be treated and if any fail to see that then I show the other side, but work life can be peaceful for you if you employ my logic! Thanks

charles009:


People are just ripping open the gibberish you wrote, absolute nonsense. The Op has a very weak presence. Listen I have led teams/managed huge number of employees across diverse industries, the number one rule is dedication/firmness. If you are paid to do job, there is no option, you've got to do it and very well. That's why there is performance reviews!

Now I understand the point you are thinking from, you have only been hired to manage people, you have not managed your personal business, because if you have, you will have more understanding of managing people when you are the risk bearer but being employed you will run away if your technique fail and leave the owner to bear the loss of your ineptness.
By the way you are arrogant and lack self respect , I know this by your use of words "gibberish". Go and learn kid

Gforce2015:


I know you are myopic in thinking. And your myopicness has limited your brain to your personal view alone. Probably you are surrounded by some lowlifers like you. So, another other important view will be like an attack to your personality. So continue with your miniscule views while you think you are typing a meaningful opinions.


Oode! Oponu!

Always picking up quarrels here and there in a public forum. You better change if you want to be progressive.

My candid advice.

You need to communicate changes very well. Prepare the mind of your employees for changes you wish to effect.

Try to understand people from their paspectives. People have reasons for their actions. It's possible you may not reason their way but that may not make them wrong. Apologies unbehalf of your employees and scold them personally.

God help you

Jayess:


Don't worry about what happens to people who use my logic, but for me it has always worked and through it I get well along with employees and followers, with a chunk of respect from every one of them.
Don't criticize what you have not tried using. You have to treat your employees they way you want to be treated if you were there employee. And I'm not in any way insinuating that I'm scared of anyone or anything. But I like treating people the way I love to be treated and if any fail to see that then I show the other side, but work life can be peaceful for you if you employ my logic! Thanks

it's better now. I understand you perfectly

Seun360:


Always picking up quarrels here and there in a public forum. You better change if you want to be progressive.

My candid advice.

Special adviser of public forum matter. I know you also. Always sending wrong words for no reason. You will be progressive.

Sack some as scapegoat, suspend some indefinitely, hire new staff, and reward good attitude. Don't forget to punish bad behavior. Make sure you are not managing anybody, because a virus can currupt the whole system.

Be calm, attend leadership and management trainings. Ask God to help you, seriously jokerman jokes apart you need to be fortified, do not go fetish, seek help from only JESUS (the true helper), note your dreams and be closer to the Holy Spirit because as the bible says in 1 John 5:19 " And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness."

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).
What your school lack is Internal Control System. Am a chartered Accountant I will like to work together with u to sanitize the environment..

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

I have faced such challenges like this before but this was in a restaurants. The owner of restaurants was not make any money or profits but the managers where all stealing money. I was employed as an accountant in d restaurant I have to set Internal Control System also set up a new policies ends those rubbish things but it was not that easy but I did it and some of those managers were sacked.
My advice to you is that try and employ a Chartered Accountant who will handle the school finance also an internal Auditor..(am also available to work together with u little pay)
Those in ur account department are absolutely doing nothing they are the once to be held responsible.

On the security guard and supervisor, I would like to know the name of the school or location. I am a staff at Sheriff deputies head office in Lagos and we do not tolerate operatives that compromise or show any sign of such character. Kindly report to the management of the company for strict and immediate resolution please. Or you can contact me via my e-mail address: olusolaolupitan@gmail. Thank you

Jokerman:
Hello. I need advice on this topic



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


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

Advice needed

Jokerman:


Thank you... I appreciate this

You are welcome

wirinet:


No you have to be strategic and not be impatient. As someone suggested, he should wait till the end of the session. Carrying out disruptive activities in the middle of the session would affect the school.
He should cope as much as he could till the end of the session around July next year. He can then sack everyone and asked interstate staff to reapply. He will have 2 months to put things in order.

I recommended that idea to him.

ufotty2001:

I have faced such challenges like this before but this was in a restaurants. The owner of restaurants was not make any money or profits but the managers where all stealing money. I was employed as an accountant in d restaurant I have to set Internal Control System also set up a new policies ends those rubbish things but it was not that easy but I did it and some of those managers were sacked.
My advice to you is that try and employ a Chartered Accountant who will handle the school finance also an internal Auditor..(am also available to work together with u little pay)
Those in ur account department are absolutely doing nothing they are the once to be held responsible.

Fellow Accountant, thanks for doing a good job.

Listen and listen to me very well. Some of what I am going to say is going to hurt, but they are facts. They will help you too.

Why you have problems with Staff?

You are a young man that just waltzed into an environment you are not familiar with. At first, i bet the staff were nice because they did not know what manner of man you are. They probably started testing you out when they began to notice afew things contradictory about what you project and what you are. First time must have been either the way you waltzed into the school and subtly demanded the respect that your father commanded (something you never earned). But hey, who comes to work to play tic-ta-toe with his employees?
The Nigerian culture is one where elders demand respect regardless of whether they are assholes or gentlemen/ladies (or you are a fellow adult). That in itself could be a problem or a blessing:
1) Too much respect could make you look weak. This is because people can see you are trying to curry favor; that's insincere and a lot of people can smell that a mile away. In addition, you could indirectly shift your power to the staff because they would continue to see you as a child or tell you how to run your business.
2)They can appreciate your respect and they will work toward the goal of the business. This is rarely the case though since people are after their own self interests.

Therefore, to handle the issue of respect, you have to be polite. I don't mean being a kiss-arse. I meant being polite when working with your staff, but non-hesistant to fire anyone not doing their jobs right without a second chance. This will accomplish two goals:
1) It will make you unpredictable. People will not known how to handle you; it will keep them on edge.
2) Comfortable old gossips will be wary of losing their positions since they know they can be replaced. Afterall, there are hundred of thousands of graduates that will travel hundreds of kilometers to get that position (You don't need to tell them this of course- let your unpredictable action speak of your immense iron grip). That is every worker's nightmare.

In addition to handling the issue of respect, i suspect you are not genuinely interested in your workers. You need to change that. People like to talk about themselves or be asked after. Get to know these people. Praise them when they come in early. Inquire about families, hobbies, their students, how their day is going and so on. I DO NOT mean sitting down to have a full blown conversation. Nay, I mean every now and then approach one and strike a conversation about that person that will make the person talk about himself or herself. You just have to listen- this is not time to open your bladder mouth. Just seem genuinely interested (or at least fake the shit) and ask interesting questions every now and then. The person will feel better after that. This is going to create two events:
1) It will make the person feel you care. People like it when other people let them talk about themselves. You and I are like that, that is why we cannot wait to talk about ourselves every slight chance we have. Oh look! You just talked about your problems in this post. Didn't it make you feel good that everyone is replying or engaging you? : )
2)It will create dissension in their ranks. This is due to number 1 reason, and this is because other gossips will stop talking to the person you talked to. They will think he or she is a traitor. This is really good because you can use that to divide, conquer and expel undesirable elements of your team.

How do you regain your power back?

The above will gradually put the balls back to your court. However, there are a hundred ways I could take back the power as the head of the school, but I am not going to waste my time writing them here since you are a nobody to me, and my time is important to me. I am going to tell you two additional steps you need to do based on the issues you have highlighted. They are:
1) Call a meeting. Provide refreshment in the meeting. The purpose of this meeting to them is for them to voice their opinions. To you, its purpose to lay new rules and fire afew people that show up late.
Example:
"Hello, thank y'all for coming. The purpose is to tell me how I can help you do your jobs better. Do we need coffee machines? Or donut tuesdays?," You say playfully.
Meeting was supposed to be at 8am (or any feasible time), but Mr. No-shoe-is-bigger-than-me walks in late. Say, "Hello, I am glad you could make. Everyone here was beginning to wonder whether everything is okay with you ." Laugh as you say this.
After meeting or day, call him to the office and fire him. I'd prefer end of school session, fire him. This will prevent him starting a few or arousing others to his cause. You don't want the whole staff walking away; it is bad business. Also, when he is of high value to you, that's a good thing because people will not want to be next when they see you fire someone better than them. It will show that you do not need them, THEY NEED YOUR COMPANY.
When everyone has spoken, note their views and say you will do your best. Praise them for their loyalty and hardwork (including the lazy ones); be specify when you are praising. DO NOT flatter. Mention what you like about a specify action of a teacher and praise it. Do not criticize in the meeting. At the end of the meeting, tell them what you have thought about things that may help them attract more students and boost their earning/salary. Talk about what you want changed- NOTE: Say it in the way their self interests are reflected. People are only after their self interests. Once you hook them up by presenting greed to them through their self interests, they will take care of your interest.
2) They cannot be two managers in a school. Either you are or your mother is, they can't be two people due to conflict of interests. You need to be honest with yourself. If your mother is a better manager than you, let her have the position and be the man behind the curtains. Also for number 1, discuss with your mother before embarking.

Finally, you need to be friends with the wife of your mom's brother. Next time, security man misbehaves. Pull him into the office- pour a shot of schnap and tell him you appreciate his efforts. However, his behavior may put everyone out of work in the long run. This is because parents would not want to send their kids to school and they will be no way of generating revenue to pay him. It will mean he, the staff and you will go back to shoving the dirt. Tell him you employed him because you heard he is the best (although, he is just a locust eating away your crops) and you don't want people to see that reputation is not true. Tell him every time parents walk into the school, they trust their lives of their kids to him. Tell him that probably explains why they speak highly of his abilities; however, a lot are beginning to discuss otherwise. Tell him you hope he helps you prove them wrong.

That's all I have for you.

BlindedIrony:
Listen and listen to me very well. Some of what I am going to say is going to hurt, but they are facts. They will help you too.

Why you have problems with Staff?

You are a young man that just waltzed into an environment you are not familiar with. At first, i bet the staff were nice because they did not know what manner of man you are. They probably started testing you out when they began to notice afew things contradictory about what you project and what you are. First time must have been either the way you waltzed into the school and subtly demanded the respect that your father commanded (something you never earned). But hey, who comes to work to play tic-ta-toe with his employees?
The Nigerian culture is one where elders demand respect regardless of whether they are assholes or gentlemen/ladies (or you are a fellow adult). That in itself could be a problem or a blessing:
1) Too much respect could make you look weak. This is because people can see you are trying to curry favor; that's insincere and a lot of people can smell that a mile away. In addition, you could indirectly shift your power to the staff because they would continue to see you as a child or tell you how to run your business.
2)They can appreciate your respect and they will work toward the goal of the business. This is rarely the case though since people are after their own self interests.

Therefore, to handle the issue of respect, you have to be polite. I don't mean being a kiss-arse. I meant being polite when working with your staff, but non-hesistant to fire anyone not doing their jobs right without a second chance. This will accomplish two goals:
1) It will make you unpredictable. People will not known how to handle you; it will keep them on edge.
2) Comfortable old gossips will be wary of losing their positions since they know they can be replaced. Afterall, there are hundred of thousands of graduates that will travel hundreds of kilometers to get that position (You don't need to tell them this of course- let your unpredictable action speak of your immense iron grip). That is every worker's nightmare.

In addition to handling the issue of respect, i suspect you are not genuinely interested in your workers. You need to change that. People like to talk about themselves or be asked after. Get to know these people. Praise them when they come in early. Inquire about families, hobbies, their students, how their day is going and so on. I DO NOT mean sitting down to have a full blown conversation. Nay, I mean every now and then approach one and strike a conversation about that person that will make the person talk about himself or herself. You just have to listen- this is not time to open your bladder mouth. Just seem genuinely interested (or at least fake the shit) and ask interesting questions every now and then. The person will feel better after that. This is going to create two events:
1) It will make the person feel you care. People like it when other people let them talk about themselves. You and I are like that, that is why we cannot wait to talk about ourselves every slight chance we have. Oh look! You just talked about your problems in this post. Didn't it make you feel good that everyone is replying or engaging you? : )
2)It will create dissension in their ranks. This is due to number 1 reason, and this is because other gossips will stop talking to the person you talked to. They will think he or she is a traitor. This is really good because you can use that to divide, conquer and expel undesirable elements of your team.

How do you regain your power back?

The above will gradually put the balls back to your court. However, there are a hundred ways I could take back the power as the head of the school, but I am not going to waste my time writing them here since you are a nobody to me, and my time is important to me. I am going to tell you two additional steps you need to do based on the issues you have highlighted. They are:
1) Call a meeting. Provide refreshment in the meeting. The purpose of this meeting to them is for them to voice their opinions. To you, its purpose to lay new rules and fire afew people that show up late.
Example:
"Hello, thank y'all for coming. The purpose is to tell me how I can help you do your jobs better. Do we need coffee machines? Or donut tuesdays?," You say playfully.
Meeting was supposed to be at 8am (or any feasible time), but Mr. No-shoe-is-bigger-than-me walks in late. Say, "Hello, I am glad you could make. Everyone here was beginning to wonder whether everything is okay with you ." Laugh as you say this.
After meeting or day, call him to the office and fire him. I'd prefer end of school session, fire him. This will prevent him starting a few or arousing others to his cause. You don't want the whole staff walking away; it is bad business. Also, when he is of high value to you, that's a good thing because people will not want to be next when they see you fire someone better than them. It will show that you do not need them, THEY NEED YOUR COMPANY.
When everyone has spoken, note their views and say you will do your best. Praise them for their loyalty and hardwork (including the lazy ones); be specify when you are praising. DO NOT flatter. Mention what you like about a specify action of a teacher and praise it. Do not criticize in the meeting. At the end of the meeting, tell them what you have thought about things that may help them attract more students and boost their earning/salary. Talk about what you want changed- NOTE: Say it in the way their self interests are reflected. People are only after their self interests. Once you hook them up by presenting greed to them through their self interests, they will take care of your interest.
2) They cannot be two managers in a school. Either you are or your mother is, they can't be two people due to conflict of interests. You need to be honest with yourself. If your mother is a better manager than you, let her have the position and be the man behind the curtains. Also for number 1, discuss with your mother before embarking.

Finally, you need to be friends with the wife of your mom's brother. Next time, security man misbehaves. Pull him into the office- pour a shot of schnap and tell him you appreciate his efforts. However, his behavior may put everyone out of work in the long run. This is because parents would not want to send their kids to school and they will be no way of generating revenue to pay him. It will mean he, the staff and you will go back to shoving the dirt. Tell him you employed him because you heard he is the best (although, he is just a locust eating away your crops) and you don't want people to see that reputation is not true. Tell him every time parents walk into the school, they trust their lives of their kids to him. Tell him that probably explains why they speak highly of his abilities; however, a lot are beginning to discuss otherwise. Tell him you hope he helps you prove them wrong.

That's all I have for you.

Thanks