The Angry Ones Get in First

Geoff Hutchinson is a Talk Back radio icon on ABC Perth. He has engaged and informed audiences for over 16 years and created quite a following.

On Tuesday 29th November, Geoff hosted his last radio broadcast to a live audience and hung up his headphones and turned off his microphone for the last time at 6.00 pm.

Geoff encouraged his listeners to utilise the power of their collective voice to air their opinions and views to the world via Talk Back radio.

His insight as to who was the consistent voice really captured my attention.

This is the voice that seems to get the most oxygen. The voice that is loudest. The voice that others give space to.

When there is a controversial topic that has aroused the public’s interest, the first caller to express their opinion were the “angry ones”.

“The angry ones get in first”, Geoff said.

The angry ones are those who oppose the change, who are sometimes ill informed or can only see the impact on themselves and not the wider community.

Geoff strongly encouraged the supportive ones to be the first and set a positive standard. To help give a balanced view of the controversial topic.

To not let the angry ones, suck all the air from what could be a magic idea.

I see this in school culture.

The angry ones are the first to oppose administration’s attempt at improving student results through a shift in culture. This shift has an impact on their perceived power.

They persuade others in the team to see their point of view and enlist informal support through reluctant nodding of heads. This gives them the false interpretation that they speak on behalf of staff that there is a problem and administration need to fix it.

Everyone has the capacity and the right to voice their opinion on any school issue; not just the angry ones. If you are in favour of the idea, then be the first to throw your support around the suggestions and use the oxygen before the angry ones arrive.

A positive culture empowers staff to have a voice.

So, use it to be the change you want to see.

Push the angry ones to the back.