Mentality
Thoughts happen instantaneously so you may have a great idea, we would like you to share those great ideas of course but please don’t forget that if there is a clear or simple idea the likelihood of it is that many of us likely have had it too. So make suggestions please but please do with the understanding that there may a reason that it may not be happening or implemented yet or may not be possible to immeadiately implement.
What you’ll find in life as much as business is that things are never as simple or easy as they may appear or arrive in our head.
But often times with a little communication and understanding you’ll find that most issues are solved.
Understanding that we are actually here for you and you are geneuinely here for us despite what it may seem feel or look like at times is so important for the foundation of this company and our personal and working relationships. The fact of the matter is we are genuinely in this together and this business succeeding is for the best for each of us especially with the growth potential represented here for all of us. We don’t see you as just work horses and I make it a point to ensure that people in management or share holding positions doesn’t believe you see us as just cash cows. You ask for what you need to thrive in your role and your life and we ask for what we need to thrive as a company and in life. Working together we make good things happen for all of us and the clients we support.
At times however we recognise that sometimes feeling may develop or things may feel opposite to what’s described above. In that position we suggest speaking to us and gaining qualification before you make negative feelings develop into frustration and resentment. And all groups, all sides and all people needs to do this with each other in infinity. Rectify issues before they become problems. So we may all be relatively peaceful and happy here.
Here at infinity the team is like a machine or a car, it’s many moving parts working together to get to a common goal or destination for the benefit of each of us. We each play a different role in the machine but all roles are equally important. To put it in to context, one of us is the break, another of us is the wheel, the other of us is the clutch, another of us is the accelerator/gas. Another is the steering wheel, another is the windscreen, the more you add to the car the better it is and the more effective and comfortable it becomes. And once we are all comfortable in our positions playing our role once in a while we may need to top ourselves up to function at our best or to be able to get to our destination with petrol. The petrol in this scenario is the external contractors we have to occasionally bring in to help us move forward like our course trainers, or ofsted professionals. Every once a year our car needs a check in the form or MOT and a service this in this context is our yearly company audit.
Below is examples of things you may overtime get to feel that if not mentioned could lead to feelings of upset and resentment but if clarity was gotten would give you some understanding and understanding of the situation.
“Why does that staff member get shift with that young person weekly it’s unfair” because that staff member is female and that young person has been sexually abused by a male who was in a position of care and trust therefore she cannot work with male staff members.
“Why does he get 3 shifts a week guaranteed with that young person but I don’t” this is due to the fact that a young person has racist tendencies and is known to be abuse and violent to people who are from ethnic minorities therefore in order for us to have him here at infinity his support package and care plan requires his primary worker to be white for the safety of staff and himself. The best we could do is give that staff member 3 and give you 4 so you’re still able to make an income while simultaneously fulfill the care plan. “Yes but why does he have to get the first three days of the week and I have to get the last 4.”This is because the young person has specific activities that he must engage in on those days that requires him to be outside of the placement. It’s better the worker who is his key and he is used to take him out than for you to do so and then an incident occurs. Or the young person may need that structure due to his care plan, or a plethora of other reasons which you may not know, you’re welcome to ask to gain understanding and knowledge but it is our expectation that this would eliminate the feeling of malcontent.
“This young person is dangerous why would they not make him two to one”. The truth is what they don’t even want to pay for his 1-1 support so we need to take the young person first and evaluate how close to the care plan his behaviour actually (as these care plans can sometimes be VERY inaccurate whether by accident or design) we have to accept these young people cautiously evaluate them ourselves then make a decision as to whether they will be enabled to stay then gather evidence to justify why we he needs to be on a higher support package. Sometimes they’ll go for it sometimes they won’t but we always fight hard for the support package that will keep you staff as safe as possible and make things as comfortable and as easy as possible. However to do this we have to rely on information and resources completed by staff in order to make a case which means if you don’t do or understand how to do the job properly it makes it harder to get you the additional support we also rely on the staff members judgement in this scenario as you are the ones that works with the young people daily to guide us by telling us whether there is great needs for 2 to one.
“Why would they accept or give us this child knowing he is dangerous” what you will often find is the local authority will send us over a referral. This referral is either true or false all we can do is read it and decide instantly based on what they’ve presented if it’s a no or a yes. A local authority is aware of this, for young people that is difficult to place some local authorities may get creative in the way they present information and often times we are really good at picking this up and eliminating cases that may cause major or significant problems, however sometimes the information at our disposal will present someone completely different to what they actually are (which we can’t truly know until we accept the case). But also soemtimes what is described in a young persons file may not be accurate to who they are for example I once had to write a factual report about a young person in our placement, in that report I had to state factually that she was frequently staying out and she had started a fire in the placement that damaged the property. While that’s facts I was involved in that situation so I had additional context and information so was able to recognise recognise this was not a deliberate act of aggression or to harm anyone but actually actions she believed was acceptable and common based on seeing it done by her family members and other members of society when found previously in a situation like what she found herself in. What she did was attempt to burn her boyfriends jumper in the kitchen sink who had cheated on her so he could see it on FaceTime during their very dramatic break up. But didn’t know until it was explained that that’s not ok to do. So even though a young persons referral states they are a challenge we still don’t know for sure until we try. We have to try first and respond accordingly if it can’t work as staff needs young people to work and we need to get young people to even have a business. Just like the local authority needs us and people like us to place and people like our staff to work. However what we will say is
There’s a threshold that if a referral meets and surpass it we will say an immediate no.
Secondly know this. The things we have to ask you to do we actually don’t want to ask you to do! But to have a business we must ask and you must do.
The reality is we are asked to do the impossible with next to nothing in terms or resource and support from the local authority daily and so we by extension have to ask you to do the impossible daily with us. You can’t do it for free as we recognise you have to live so therefore we pay you for it as best we can. Believe it or not the local authorities doesn’t want us to get rich off us this or you for doing your work so we are constant fighting to validate what we are paid or why we require the level of support we wish to give a young person.
We will always want to pay you more as we believe to do this job there can’t be enough money paid for the mental and physical and emotional turmoil we may go through and the toll it takes on us. We have done your exact role for multiple years and because we couldn’t afford to take pay at the time we did it for free!. We have had young people that were suicidal and elbowed and punched us in the face, we have had furniture thrown at us, after us bleeding after being physically attacked by a young person and not having eh ability to attack back had members of the local authority attempt to blame us for engaging instead of addressing that their child has attacked us due to the fact they do not want the support package to be raised.
We are constantly being told how to do our job right or do it better by people who has never done an hour in a unit much less a full shift. We are undervalued and by accident or on purpose disrespected. But understand that we know that we know the pain it’s why we fight so hard for you and fight in the right way to get you that respect and get you that acknowledgment but more importantly than anything else as we won’t get it from anywhere else often we need to acknowledge each other. We are one team, one group, one people. Making the impossible happen everyday. Making something magically appear out of nothing. Fighting and conquering impossible tasks with almost no support or resource we may do everything right and still get the blame sometimes. That is why I call us soldiers because this job has made us tough it’s made us warriors and we do it today so we can earn money to look after our selves and our loved ones and make our dreams happen so one day we may not have to work anymore. And we also do it for those young people who actually needs help and appreciates the help we give as the recognise that we changed their literal life and is greatful for it. This is why assume that we are always thinking about increasing pay for you we aren’t an organisation just trying to store money at your expense as the CEO I believe in fair distribution. Those who put in should get out fairly and equally.
I want to be very straight with you.
If you take ownership of infinity and the people there then they will take ownership of you and protect and care for you as they would themselves. It’s in our best interest to work together and get along as whatever happens here good or bad will only really impact each of us. If there’s issues with the company making money then that will impact how much money you can make so if you do well at your job then the company is able to make more therefore you make money.
If there is trouble it’s likely that the company as a whole is scrutinised including you so if you see something wrong highlight or or fix it.
If someone needs help; help them so that if ever you need help they will help you in return, if they don’t address it as it won’t be accepted here. The bottom line is we are in this together. There is a community and a network in infinity which you are welcome to join but that community and network operates on a level of knowing each person in it. Each person is dedicated and will support each other and the company. We don’t have to worry about people back biting, complaining or stepping on each other to get ahead. If that is your intentions we are not interested. As we have a delicate ecosystem that we are determined to protect at any costs that is safe and secure for each of us. And a quality team of dedicated individuals who has understanding is vastly more effective than a big one filled with confusion, uncertainty, insecurity and chaos. A minimal team of quality is easier to manoeuvre, operate and manage.
We understand however that not everyone will get along or be for each other we also understand that it’s human nature to be guarded, self preservation focused and it’s natural to at times be unhappy or malcontent and find issues to complain about. That’s understood to be human nature.
But here in this team I say something very honest. This isn’t the place you come to be “normal” “average” or “basic” my team is the best because they are warriors and soldiers and they are loyal on top of it. They have proven that and I love them for it. I had to be a warrior and soldier to build this company and achieve all that I have and go further in providing the opportunities I have provided for others such as growth, learning and employment and I expect the people around me to be like , smart, driven, capable, resilient. So that I may see them go onto achieving the same things and making their own dreams come true just like I’ve seen for others. If you want something you have to fight for it and how much you are able to fight determines how successful you are in life. How good you are at facing life’s challenges and overcoming them determines how successful you are in life overall. I’m tough but I’m also fair and kind. And I do what I say I’m going to do. If you can weather the storm and bare the fire we can help you become the best version of you and achieve things you didn’t know you could.
If you can’t be any of the above or work in that way that’s no problem but we do say something to you honestly you may thrive better working somewhere else. Here we expect a certain standard and a certain level we understand not everybody can or should meet.
expect you to treat others how you want to be treated even if you don’t like them.
We expect you to understand that though your feelings matter and are relevant that there are times that things may be bigger than just you and your feelings so put them aside for the time and we will come back to them when we have dealt with the matter at hand.
I expect that people who work with me aren’t childish in their approach or petty. But act with a level of maturity. Addressing issues instead of taking passive aggressive actions.
we expect that everyone puts you first and in return you put everyone first so each individual at any given moment is in both the first and second position the two top positions of everything.
We expect understanding to be given and if it can’t be found then you ask questions to gain clarity and then understanding from that clarity. this is in big things like why things are done a certain way and small things such as reading a message and interpreting it as rude due to cultural norms or mistakes. you should address that and ask if your interpretation is accurate so you can learn about a person but also be sure that when you take action it’s not from a place of misunderstanding.
Usually you’ll find that 99 percent of problems are solved by simply communicating. We expect you to communicate well.
I expect you to think on your feet.
Think fast and adapt quickly.
Pay attention and learn both through active and passive teaching.
Don’t be overly sensitive and emotionally driven. Not everything was done against you or to offend you. And not everything that impacted you was meant to harm you for the worse.
Be willing to do whatever it takes to make something happen. You are the solution to problems, we cannot simply give up or say we can’t when met with challenge. Can’t means we stop there’s no further left to go, it’s impossible to move forward, this is not the end for me so therefore I must find a solution. Myself and my team (you) are the solution so let’s put our minds together and make it happen. If I and others and you don’t do the impossible daily then there is no company.
Be organised learn to plan and predict situations.
Learn to calculate how your actions determines the actions of others and impact the world around you. If you can’t properly express yourself in a way other will understand they will misunderstand and misjudge you. That’s not unfair that’s cause and effect so pay attention to learn how to communicate so you are understood and develop a habit of clarifying when you speak.
We are not perfect and nor are we will make mistakes. We will learn and we will teach each other so we may reduce how much we make. Both with each other and in our roles.
If you come to this organisation with a mentality that this organisation is just work and can ever be anymore than “work” then you will likely only be seen as a “work” by us too. What’s dangerous about this mentality is that it affects the way you act speak and view things and acts as a barrier to taking any real true ownership of the organisation or role in it. This reflects in your actions which then is reflected in how well you are able to integrate and therefore grow in the company as a whole. To be clear we don’t mind the mentality that work is just work to you but please also don’t mind if business is just business to us at that stage. No special favours is expected by you outside a pay cheque and no special understanding will be offered to you in return.
We suffered to build this company so we take it personally when people abuse it.
I’m not sure if you’ve been taught this. But this company took us years literal blood, sweat and tears to build. It took us through some moments in life we pray to never revisit or for any of you to ever visit feeling and experiencing certain things that we pray nobody else ever will. When we started this we were essentially children. Children with an idea and a goal that’s usually only pursued by people much older, knowledgeable and experienced but we decided we would gain all of that through doing and overcoming on the way just like they did. We weren’t born with silver spoons in our mouths so had to fortify our will and conviction and decide that no matter what we had to simply find a way to make it happen whatever we may face or come our way.
Though not our choice the hard way was likely how we would have to do it and we knew that when we started though perhaps what we didn’t know was how hard the hard way was going to be. We had to do it this way as nobody was really ever going to show us or teach us unless we showed and taught ourselves. Yes we would make mistakes but we would have to learn from them and develop from there. None of us were brown with silver spoons in our mouths but by the time we were done our children would be if we did it right. In the beginning We weren’t qualified for many loans so we had to find creative ways of making money. Bare in mind when we started this together many of us didn’t even have adult Oyster cards or bank accounts yet. To save the money to get the initial start up and resources we needed we had to put everything we gained away. We would all go out into different directions to aquire knowledge, information, or resources whether by working at specific places, taking on missions and tasks or doing research and coming back to the collective with whatever we have achieved gained or found. We put it all on the table for all to see, evaluate and then we would plan the next stage.
Every penny we each made or had together for years had to go into a bank account for the collective mission. We lived in the bare minimum. Carefully calculating every expenditure and planning out what we would eat, wear or buy months in advance so we were able to continue to stick to our predicted timelines of when we would be able to initiate our goal.
We were at a place where we would spend out on things to get us to the next stage of the business we would have no money left so we had to Deny paying our own bills just so we could have the business we were dreaming of one day having. Sadly at a point in life we found ourselves many times hiding together from bailiffs under window sills after turning all the lights off in the house we shared while they banged and banged and screamed and threatened telling us they knew we were in there but still we kept quiet and held onto each other and our goals and dreams hoping they didn’t break off the door and find us until it subsided. (One of many things of my as an immigrant)
We did those moments where we had to wake up at 5.30 am to move the cars so the bailiffs didn’t clamp or tow them. We did the Moments of having to sell our tvs, consoles and resources so we could pay the rent.
And the moments where we lived on those “very basic” Asda burgers for two weeks straight in different variety “loaded fries today” “burger and chips” tomorrow “burger sandwiches” the third day and a little salad on the side if we were feeling fancy.
We carried fridges and sofas on our backs as we couldn’t always afford transportation but we needed them as we may not be able to buy them when we eventually got a house. In building this got hurt, we got sick, we got tired, we literally put blood sweat and tears into this and the units you currently see our very own hands built themselves.
When we started this we worked for years for free because the facts were the business couldn’t afford it if we didn’t. We didn’t have enough young people to pay the rent, the gas, electric, water, 5 types of insurances, internet and other bills plus pay ourselves. So day after day on rotation we went in and we worked those shifts…for free. Until we made enough where we could hire others to help us. They came in and some joined our cause and in return we rewarded them with positions in our company and even in time shares in it. And some came who didn’t match our ethos and we had to part ways.
Eventually we won registrations and tenders and expanded our services and areas. And invited more people in.
But what you should know is this. Because of what we sacrificed to build it and make this companymake it this great. Because of what we experienced just to get here the time, the energy, sacrifices, blood, sweat and tears and the years it took. We do take it personal if somebody tries to harm or break it. We pay you for a job, to do what we asked and to keep our company secure, to look after it as well as we would look after it and protect it as we would. You don’t have to be the one to do it as you could work somewhere else but if you work here it’s what we expect and what we need. Trust that is given to you once proven right will be rewarded but trust that is given once broken may never be given again. Please….be what we hope you would be with the chance we have given. Do the job you are paid for. Don’t do the equivalent of spitting in the face of our sacrifice that won’t work out well
It’s us against the world make no mistakes. As the staff team no matter how it may look and feel the only person in your corner when the going gets tough is your team mates, as if something goes wrong it’s each of your backs that’s in the fire, it’s your income that will get disrupted, it’s you that may be summoned to court or prison, it’s you that will be blamed, unite against the world.
There’s no impossible in infinity.
You are the solution to the problem if you’re not then you have the room to grow to be, if you don’t want to be then it’s important that you understand that we would then need to find someone who is as we can’t simply stop or give up.
Young people and professionals will throw you under the bus if it means getting what they want or shifting blame from them. You need to be cautious cover your back and ours!. We cant defend you if you don’t help us to do so by doing your part.
“It’s not our job to question why it is our job to do or die”. Everybody is accountable to somebody even I the Leader of the organisation is accountable to the local authority who is accountable to the government and court. If the local authority says they cannot accept something then they can't. Therefore, I'll need to redo it to a format they can accept for whatever reasons they need it as its what we were paid to do. Then in the future learn to put it in that format from beginning to decrease the workload for future staff. An example of this is pictures taken of key-working forms that we have submitted. After submission and the local authority request that we go back and scan them instead of just taking pictures. I find it annoying and in some cases I will say that’s unacceptable because it is. But in other cases It’s not my job to be telling them why must I do that because I feel it’s unnecessary impractical and annoying though it may be my feeling. It’s actually my job to do it as it’s what they pay me for. They pay me to deliver a service in a way that serves their purpose. Just like us as people If we are not doing that they have the right to ask for their money back or stop paying us. As the director I have to do this myself to make things work so if I put pressure on the chain of command who then puts pressure on you moving forward understand we are all under the same pressure and equally frustrated about the things we have to do but also that we have to do the job we are paid for. I didn’t just invent something out of boredom and told you to do it.
The people at the top here does not sit back while people at the bottom does all the work. I would never allow that to happen here. It is my firm belief that unless a person lifts and carries weight both physically and figuratively that they grow weak and feeble. We cannot comfort ourselves into oblivion. Therefore, everybody in the organisation pulls equal weight to ensure everybody here stays sharp and strong so they are always prepared for what life may throw at them but is also always ready to justify and prove their worth. Before I ask someone to do it I must first know how to do it myself comprehensively before passing the job on.
You guys don’t know the job. We did the job for 3 years before the first external staff member was recruited. More to the point we did it for free without pay. Previous to that we worked for other people where we didn’t sleep in beds like we prov ided but we slept on floors and sofas daily for two weeks at a time. Unlike our homes tvs and netflix and internet access wasn’t provided for our comfort but what was provided was a camera watching you and the computer 24 hours a day and if your away from the cameras for more than 20 mins Youd receive a call asking where you were as they can see you’ve not been at the desk for a while. We worked with young people who was suicidal and elbowed and kicked you in the face if you tried to stop them jumping off a bridge because they were fired from a job. Before that we worked for youth centres. After that we built businesses. Likely we have done every course you will do in the future Around that we studied degrees. We know our jobs, we know what it feels like to be in your position only we weren't paid for it, we built our service to be opposite ton the ones we worked for in terms of understanding, experience and treatment. Respect that, do what we ask and follow our lead until you learn to lead yourself and is trusted to do so.
You are only as strong as your weakest link.
I’m not a believer in doing things just because therefore everything I ask you to do serves a very big purpose whether that’s making us better and securing our business, making the lives of each other and the young people easier, or preventing a major problem which could threaten our business. Similarly
You need to speak up until you are heard, infinity is a big house with many voices it’s imperative that you speak until you are heard instead of silently resenting people.
Do the hard thing, people are people there may be misunderstandings and clarity ask whats going on if you see or interpret something as wrong that you may gain clarity. Often youll find it builds respect understand and relationships.
We don’t treat you just as workers we care about you as people it’s why we are offering a family and community based team sometimes we get it right sometimes we get it wrong but constant communication is how we learn and grow. If you don’t want us on a level or to be a part of our network beyond work that is however ok as long as that’s clear to us we will amend the way we do business.
Don’t take things personal. Just because you may be told to improve does not mean all the good you do and the things you are good at isnt recognised. Our job is to be the best and provide the best so we will always be looking forn ways to get better including each of us as people. But this business is our livelihood when it comes to its maintenance that’s not about how we feel but that’s about facts of how to be great. The better we are the better it is. Nobody actually thinks on a personal level you are terrible but don’t mistake business.
I passionately dislike when people say things aren't for them as if they interpret that they don’t recognise choice as an illusion therefore they won't engage in things. “Office and paperwork isn't for me” “blood isn't for me” “that is not something I wish to do” “I spend my life doing” this is the real world. Each of us have feelings belief desires and emotions which we are entitled to. But we assume that what everyone else does because it's not a big thing for us it isn't also a sacrifice for them or as if they don’t have to overcome “what they don’t want to do” to function in life and maintain their own position daily. An example of this is “talking to people” isn't something I may wish to necessarily spend my life doing but it is essential to do if I hope to get somewhere in life and the better I am at it the more successful I will be therefore what's the relevance of what I do or do not wish to do when it comes to achieving my goals. We work today so that we may grow secure enough to not have to work tomorrow therefore everything I do once its work is not something I may want to spend my life doing but I put a smile on my face and I do what's necessary anyway. Because life doesn’t just operate based on our wants but also on our needs.
As humans those we can depend and rely on will always be more significant and valuable than those we cannot.
I'm a fair person and a I've won awards for leadership and innovation. I have had to make peace with what I do not know I cannot fix. Therefore, I can't be held accountable for what you do not tell me, and you can't be held accountable for what I do not tell you.
I tend to take correction well when presented respectfully and from what I believe comes from a place or desire to improve matters or to drive things forward for each of us. I am only human so I anticipate I make mistakes bad can only improve if I learn from people and situations. Please also endeavour to do the same from others.
When I worked in other places there was a culture where people used to bitch about their co-workers or talk behind their backs. When I asked about why people felt the need to do this I was informed “it's only human” I do believe its human to discuss things or maybe complain but it's also our responsibility to try and voice and resolve those things for the good of all. I will not accept or tolerate a culture of bitching here. We are a team we shouldn’t be bitching and back biting each other when there's already a whole world out there trying to come for our backs, and we are the only ones supporting each other in the fight. Young people are at times against us, parents and families are at times against us. Professionals are at times against us. We will not be against each other.
