Delusional Thursday: Partnerships

A couple of days back, Chary and I got into this rather public debate over an issue I admit I know nothing about. She questioned the rather controversial appointment of a professional manager as the chancellor of the New York public school system, and predicted a grim future for the 1.1 million kids who come under the system. Chary had a point- how can someone who's experience is limited to running magazine businesses head an education system?

As a professional manager who had been brought into an organization to set up systems, and who ultimately quit in disgust because of the resistance she had to face at every stage, I naturally questioned the question she raised. You don't need to know anything about education to manage an education system- you need to know about managing businesses, and you need to be willing to listen to the experts so you can build your systems around the real needs. The way I see it, the best person to manage any system is a professional manager, and the more diverse their prior experience, the better for the cross-pollination they bring to the job.

Our views are mutually incompatible, you may say. But I disagree.

Chary is an outstanding teacher, and any system that has people like her can consider itself blessed. And when I say she is outstanding, I am not talking about her qualifications (which are brilliant). I am taking about her compassion, her generosity, and her drive to ensure the best for every single one of her students, all of which shines through in every interaction you have with her. She is the kind of teacher every mother wishes was teaching her children, and who every student remembers long after they graduate from her class. In the classroom (and in the staffroom preparing and grading lessons), you cannot have anyone better than a Chary.

But does that mean Chary (or someone like her) is the best person to manage an education system? I would think not. Managing an enterprise requires a box of tools which years of teaching doesn't give you. Managing an enterprise means motivating everyone to give their best. Managing an enterprise means optimizing the utility of every dollar. Managing an enterprise means prioritizing expenditure, so funds are available for running the core business the way they should be run. Managing an enterprise is best left to someone like me who has done nothing else for 15 years- someone who has known so many enterprises, she can intuitively "get" what needs to be changed and how.

In an ideal world, Chary and I would be partners in running the NY public schools system. She is the teacher who knows what is needed in the classroom. She is the person who knows exactly how the rewards and recognition system should work, so teachers are inspired and incentivized to put in their best effort. I am the manager who knows how to recognize and cut dead wood. I am the person who can take inputs from Chary and put in place a system which rewards teachers for the effort they put into teaching and mentoring. In an ideal world, Chary and I both realise that together we can put in place a system that provides quality education to 1.1 million children and youth.

The world, however, is far from ideal.

In the real world, Chary doubts my intentions. She is convinced that I am going to cut salaries and render her redundant. She thinks I am going to divert money meant for blackboard chalk into renovating my office. She resents having me as her 'boss' when she knows she is a much better teacher than I can ever be.

The distrust and antagonism is not just from Chary's side. In the real world, I do not behave as a manager; I preen around as the 'BOSS'. Instead of addressing the concerns of the people in the system, I publicly garner support from high-profile individuals who have no stake in the system. In the real world, I treat the appointment, not as an opportunity to make a system paid for by the public deliver on its promise, but as a personal recognition of my worth.

In the real world, Chary and I fight, and when we fight, the ones who suffer are the various stakeholders in the system.


Chary and I are friends. We have our differences, but we sort them out as adults, and don't let that come in the way either of our friendship or our mutual respect. If Chary and I are asked to work together, we would be able to work to each of our strengths, and create something strong and lasting.

And it is not just the NY public school system. In every almost every area of human activity you see petty egos at work. You see people competing when they should be collaborating. You see mutual distrust where there should be respect. You see people trying to do a job they have no aptitude for only because they feel that the other job is more 'prestigious' than the one they can excel in.

If only people started working together and listening to each other, how much better the world would be.

I like to think I am Realistic- after all, doesn't everyone want the best?.
My friends tell me I am being Idealistic- people are people, and you cannot change them.
But sometimes, just sometimes, I wonder if I am not actually being Delusional. But then I was born on a Thursday, I cannot help being Delusional.