But when it actually comes to criticising a member of staff, the managers all stop short. Even with new recruits – who clearly take the mick with their non-performance or even non-appearance – they plead for another chance. It is enormously frustrating. One is either left feeling utterly powerless, which somewhat dulls the creative juices of leadership, or facing up to over-ruling (and, quite possibly, having yet another management row).

Sometimes, the managers are just too nice. Sometimes, they are too insecure and an admittance of staff inadequacy is seen as a failure on their own part. A week of staff assessments stretches long ahead of me. I intend to tell staff the truth and, by the end of the week, I’m sure I am going to be less than popular. It’s definitely going to be a case of “the bitch is back”!

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