Can we inspire when feeling uninspired?

By Brian Murray



Working for yourself, or being your own boss, is everyones dream of perfect employment. Like most dreams though, the reality isn't far behind. So why do it if i'm going to moan about it?, well it's human nature to be suspicious of success or satisfaction. I wouldn't be where I am now if I hadn't spent years dragging myself out of bed in the morning and feeling that awful dread and knotted stomach wondering what horrors my daily work was going to bring me and it didnt get any easier when I finally made the transition to Management. "I know what to do. I can change everything, I can make it all better...." the pithy warblings of a wet-behind-the-ears manager until he comes face to face with the one thing that will stop him in his tracks: People. or Staff to be precise. I was always respectful of senior staff when I was a carer/senior carer, I always believed that to stick to your principles in the face of adversity would help you to success and achievement. It was some time before I realised what it really takes to succeed. Courage. Making hard decisons at the right time is where the success comes from, sleepless nights? not so much when you accept you can't be liked by everyone. I was determined, however, to move away from the style of management I had experienced in my life, the look over your shoulder only noticing when you've done something wrong kind. I wanted to illicit respect among the workers by leaving them alone to do their job, to this day I can't work to the best of my ability with someone looking over my shoulder so why expect others to do it? My mantra was 'take the freedom i'm giving you to do your job, but never take advantage.' I have to say most people went for it, if a director appeared and asked why staff were out having a cigarette when it wasn't an 'official' break I could confidently ask them to point something out that was'nt done or required immediate attention.

So why am I on my own now?, well there are still too many 'old school' directors out there who want a simple manager, not a leader. they don't believe in inspiring all of the workforce, just the ones they like. I can't stand favouritism or snobbery. I would see all staff as equals, as a manager if i had a day off sick there would be some extra paperwork when I came back but have a domestic or a carer off sick and you can easily watch the lot hit the fan. I remember my first care job paid £1.65 an hour, the domestic staff were on something like £0.95p, that was 20 years ago and comparitively it hasn't gotten much better. Don't get me wrong, I love the care sector and I am very proud of my career so far but now I've decided that I won't achieve the levels of greatness I expected within one workplace because I couldn't get the support or backing I needed and instead I offer my experience to anyone who cares enough about their business to see that they need to change but don't know where to start.

Next weeks blog - How to remove wings from wasps without being stung.

B Murray.