Saturday, 14 November 2009

PROBLEM SOLVING through envelopes ...


A new Administrator / Principal spends a week at his new office with the Administrator, he is replacing.

On the last day the departing manager tells him, "I have left three numbered envelopes in the desk drawer. Open an envelope if you encounter a crisis you can't solve."

Three months down the track there is a major drama, everything goes wrong - the usual stuff - and the Administrator / Principal feels very threatened by it all.

He remembers the parting words of his predecessor and opens the first envelope.
The message inside says "Blame your predecessor!" He does this and gets off the hook.

About half a year later, the Institution is experiencing a dip in progress and combined with serious problems.

The Administrator / Principal quickly opens the second envelope.
The message read, "Reorganize!, Now blame and threat or bargain or beg with own staff." This he does, and the Institution quickly rebounds.

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