Awkward first meeting

Hi everyone,

I am due to start my first management position at a new college. Ahead of my start date, I had a short meeting with my line manager to discuss some actions for this academic year. She then asked me to follow her in one of the classrooms so I can meet 4 of the teachers that I will be managing. I entered the room feeling excited and hopefull. I walked out feeling confused. This was supposed to be a very informal meeting...just to say "hello" and briefly introduce myself. I was met by cold stares....they didn't even bother to force a smile.
How should I approach these teachers? How do I create a productive working environment with people who seem to dislike me from day one?

 

Cake?....what did your line manager say? did you ask what she saw as the issues within the current department?

 

Ogden Nash on icebreaking

Candy
Is dandy
But liquor
Is quicker

It's just possible that an informal meeting in the pub might work?

 

Work on them one to one. As individuals they'll be far less intimidating than as a group. Try to learn about them, find out what makes them tick.

be mindful of your own reputation too. Build a buzz around your lessons when you start - pull out some stops and get students really engaged. That'll earn their respect (and if it doesn't that'll tell you something about them) and then hopefully the more open-minded ones will realise that you might just know what you're doing and be somebody they can learn from. Offer to share resources, planning, time-savers, etc - make them see that working with you will save them time and effort.

Good luck!

 

How are you getting on @Madalinutza?

 

I don't think it is that they dislike you, but perhaps the working conditions are bad at the college and they see you as another person to heap misery upon them.

tb9605's suggestions are excellent as anything you can do to make their lives easier will be appreciated ; if you genuinely get to know these people , then you can find out what their concerns are - what you can do to help them.

Listening will be your biggest weapon in breaking down the barriers.

Also, read some good books on how to manage people. Look on it as a learning experience.

Well done for getting the post.

 

I think they probably dislike the senior staff member rather than the OP