This man had no intention of being approachable . He barked orders and expected complete obedience. Once I emerged from my ‘shell’ I fought him every inch of the way. I’ll give people respect when they earn it . But to me position does not in and of itself merit blind obedience. Equally I’ve never expected people to follow my orders blindly. Management is about inspiration and working together towards agreed goals, its about mutual respect not awe or fear. This guy believed in fear.
But he also was indecisive when challenged . There was a completely apocryphal tale which circulates around the old boys. When the school council was established , against his better judgment. It came to be dominated by three of us with a common political agenda. It is joked that when he saw the three of us approaching his office he used to hide in his private loo! As I say apocryphal, but