The Leadership Blog
This leadership blog looks at the response residents of a Cambridge estate received, when they decked out their windows in England flags.
Leadership Coaching: Leadership With A Frown...
There was an interesting story in this morning Daily Mirror which is worthy of attention. It tells of angry residents who have slammed a Housing Association after they were banned from flying England flags during the World Cup - as they could be “offensive”.
The story says that England supporters at St Bartholomew’s Court riverside apartments in Cambridge were up in arms yesterday after being ordered to take down their flags.
Wherry Housing Association, which manages the 80 flats, sent a letter warning residents to remove “offensive” flags from their windows and balconies.
Now here is the remarkable part of the story. A source in the association said that staff resented having to send the letter, but were forced to by parent company Atlantis Estates.
The source said: “We think this is ridiculous, and we were reluctant to send the letter.
But Andrew Strong, managing directer of property managers Atlantis Estates, a subsidiary of Atlantis Group, defended the company’s decision.
“If we were to allow this, there could be 80 or 90 flats that could have lots of different flags flying. People may start flying Conservative Party flags at the next election. Someone might think the Olympics is as important as the World Cup and fly flags during the games.”
So just what was the meeting like at Atlantis Estates, that determined that staff at the Housing Association must send out this letter against their will?
Atlantis Estates, on their website, tell us how they pride themselves on customer service. But they are clearly so detached from the customers who occupy their flats, that the term customer service is nothing more than a tired empty cliche here.
If they really had anything about them, Atlantis Estates, would offer to pay for a World Cup flag for anyone in Bartholomew's Court that wanted one. Now that would make them an extraordinary company.
But that clearly isnt their aim. They set out to be efficient. And dull. They manage property. With a frown. What would your organisation do in this situation?
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Martin Perry - Leadership Coaching: 10th June 2010
