He's been suspended, resigned, withdrawn his resignation, and been 'terminated' - now he speaks about his seven months in charge of a 'service in crisis'
Was not a fan. Nothing changed on stations. Still understaffed, service relying on people working overtime, departments still not functioning…. He had very poor senior managers that he couldn’t get rid of so was always going to be up against it when trying to implement change. He talked a great game but started throwing his weight around without appreciating that you can’t just threaten people with suspension or worse without going through correct and agreed procedures. Things like the wearing of shorts on station was way down on anyone’s list of priorities. The whole culture had deteriorated over many years which was manufactured because changes deemed necessary were easier to implement when the majority of the workforce were already so fed up and had little attitude for constant fights. A happy workforce is always more difficult to get to agree and embrace changes that are not particularly welcome or popular. As Oliver found out - sometimes, you can’t polish a turd.
Was not a fan. Nothing changed on stations. Still understaffed, service relying on people working overtime, departments still not functioning…. He had very poor senior managers that he couldn’t get rid of so was always going to be up against it when trying to implement change. He talked a great game but started throwing his weight around without appreciating that you can’t just threaten people with suspension or worse without going through correct and agreed procedures. Things like the wearing of shorts on station was way down on anyone’s list of priorities. The whole culture had deteriorated over many years which was manufactured because changes deemed necessary were easier to implement when the majority of the workforce were already so fed up and had little attitude for constant fights. A happy workforce is always more difficult to get to agree and embrace changes that are not particularly welcome or popular. As Oliver found out - sometimes, you can’t polish a turd.
Was not a fan. Nothing changed on stations. Still understaffed, service relying on people working overtime, departments still not functioning…. He had very poor senior managers that he couldn’t get rid of so was always going to be up against it when trying to implement change. He talked a great game but started throwing his weight around without appreciating that you can’t just threaten people with suspension or worse without going through correct and agreed procedures. Things like the wearing of shorts on station was way down on anyone’s list of priorities. The whole culture had deteriorated over many years which was manufactured because changes deemed necessary were easier to implement when the majority of the workforce were already so fed up and had little attitude for constant fights. A happy workforce is always more difficult to get to agree and embrace changes that are not particularly welcome or popular. As Oliver found out - sometimes, you can’t polish a turd.
Was not a fan. Nothing changed on stations. Still understaffed, service relying on people working overtime, departments still not functioning…. He had very poor senior managers that he couldn’t get rid of so was always going to be up against it when trying to implement change. He talked a great game but started throwing his weight around without appreciating that you can’t just threaten people with suspension or worse without going through correct and agreed procedures. Things like the wearing of shorts on station was way down on anyone’s list of priorities. The whole culture had deteriorated over many years which was manufactured because changes deemed necessary were easier to implement when the majority of the workforce were already so fed up and had little attitude for constant fights. A happy workforce is always more difficult to get to agree and embrace changes that are not particularly welcome or popular. As Oliver found out - sometimes, you can’t polish a turd.
Oliver was the best CEO/CFO. He made things happen. The West mids fire turned into a bureaucratic management, where yes men prevailed.
The senior managers lived in HQ completely oblivious to the situations in the fire stations.
He’ll be truly missed, hearing the words, integrity, honesty and selflessness, words I hadn’t heard since I served the military over 20 years ago.
Was not a fan. Nothing changed on stations. Still understaffed, service relying on people working overtime, departments still not functioning…. He had very poor senior managers that he couldn’t get rid of so was always going to be up against it when trying to implement change. He talked a great game but started throwing his weight around without appreciating that you can’t just threaten people with suspension or worse without going through correct and agreed procedures. Things like the wearing of shorts on station was way down on anyone’s list of priorities. The whole culture had deteriorated over many years which was manufactured because changes deemed necessary were easier to implement when the majority of the workforce were already so fed up and had little attitude for constant fights. A happy workforce is always more difficult to get to agree and embrace changes that are not particularly welcome or popular. As Oliver found out - sometimes, you can’t polish a turd.
Was not a fan. Nothing changed on stations. Still understaffed, service relying on people working overtime, departments still not functioning…. He had very poor senior managers that he couldn’t get rid of so was always going to be up against it when trying to implement change. He talked a great game but started throwing his weight around without appreciating that you can’t just threaten people with suspension or worse without going through correct and agreed procedures. Things like the wearing of shorts on station was way down on anyone’s list of priorities. The whole culture had deteriorated over many years which was manufactured because changes deemed necessary were easier to implement when the majority of the workforce were already so fed up and had little attitude for constant fights. A happy workforce is always more difficult to get to agree and embrace changes that are not particularly welcome or popular. As Oliver found out - sometimes, you can’t polish a turd.
Was not a fan. Nothing changed on stations. Still understaffed, service relying on people working overtime, departments still not functioning…. He had very poor senior managers that he couldn’t get rid of so was always going to be up against it when trying to implement change. He talked a great game but started throwing his weight around without appreciating that you can’t just threaten people with suspension or worse without going through correct and agreed procedures. Things like the wearing of shorts on station was way down on anyone’s list of priorities. The whole culture had deteriorated over many years which was manufactured because changes deemed necessary were easier to implement when the majority of the workforce were already so fed up and had little attitude for constant fights. A happy workforce is always more difficult to get to agree and embrace changes that are not particularly welcome or popular. As Oliver found out - sometimes, you can’t polish a turd.
Was not a fan. Nothing changed on stations. Still understaffed, service relying on people working overtime, departments still not functioning…. He had very poor senior managers that he couldn’t get rid of so was always going to be up against it when trying to implement change. He talked a great game but started throwing his weight around without appreciating that you can’t just threaten people with suspension or worse without going through correct and agreed procedures. Things like the wearing of shorts on station was way down on anyone’s list of priorities. The whole culture had deteriorated over many years which was manufactured because changes deemed necessary were easier to implement when the majority of the workforce were already so fed up and had little attitude for constant fights. A happy workforce is always more difficult to get to agree and embrace changes that are not particularly welcome or popular. As Oliver found out - sometimes, you can’t polish a turd.
Tremendous piece Jane