Page 90 of Take a Moment

The next day, I’m back in the office, dragging myself around due to an unexpected worsening of my fatigue, my head thick and woolly. My walk to work felt more like a climb, despite the gentleness of the gradient, and I’m a bit clammy, even just sitting in the ambient temperature of the boardroom. It’s another of my leadership programme events – a group development day with my fellow participants – so I’m determined to ignore my symptoms and make the most of it.

‘Morning, all,’ Terrence, our programme facilitator, greets us. ‘Today we’re going to get our first sense of your practical leadership skills. You’ll be split into three groups and each team is going to take on a real-life business challenge. You’ll work on this throughout the day, then we’ll bring you back together later to present your ideas to John Chambers, your company’s chief exec.’

‘Sounds likeThe Apprentice.’ Danielle’s eyes light up in enthusiasm, which I notice triggers some eye-rolling around the room.

‘It’s not quite as glamorous, I’m afraid, but I guess there are some similarities – we do have our own Karren and Claude, so to speak. I’ll be introducing you to them shortly, and I’ll be observing the third team myself. This is to provide us with a benchmark for your progress, so please behave as you would normally. It’s about leaders with a small “l” – which means there’s no need to battle to be team leader.’

A murmur goes around the room as we digest this information.

‘I cannotwaitfor this,’ Danielle declares.

The rest of us simply share a look of ‘which poor bastards are going to end up in a team with her’.

‘Right, you four will be one team.’ Terrence points at members of the group randomly. ‘You… one, two, three, four, will be another, which means those of you who are left will form the final team.’

There are subtle gasps of relief as the members of the first two teams gather together. My heart sinks as I realise that as one of the remaining five, I’m in the same team as Danielle.

‘Alex, we’re in the same team –again.’ She flashes me her signature fake smile as we take a seat together. ‘So glad we’re working together on this.’

‘Yeah, great.’ I mirror her in response.

The other three unlucky members of our group reluctantly drag their chairs across to us.

‘Hey,’ I greet them sombrely.

‘Hey,’ they murmur in unison.

‘You lot are cheery,’ Danielle huffs, glancing around enviously at the other, more enthusiastic and animated, groups.

‘Everything all right over here?’ Terrence pulls up a chair to join us.

‘This lot are a bit lacking in get-go,’ Danielle complains. ‘I mean, what kind of team name would describe this set-up? The Dullards? Maybe you should disperse them around the teams.’

Myself and the others freeze, and I can tell we’re all feeling the same mix of emotions – shock that she’d actually say that out loud, and mild offence at being described as ‘dullards’. Unlike Danielle, Terrence seems to have picked up on exactly what’s going on.

‘Perhaps they just need some creative brainstorming to get them going, Danielle. Best not to judge up front.’

‘Huh.’ She sits back and folds her arms. ‘No way we’re going to win this task then.’

Terrence gives her a warm smile. ‘It’s not a competition. This is simply about getting a measure of your leadership skills as part of a team dynamic. Leadership with a small “l”, remember? Think I’ll shadow you five today. How about that?’

All we can muster in response are a collection of unenthusiastic shrugs.

‘Right, come on then.’ He ups his positivity in an attempt to bring us round. ‘Alex, Danielle, why don’t you be the first to select your team challenge? There are three different scenarios pinned to the whiteboard. Have a read and decide between you which challenge your group will take on today.’

We obediently get to our feet and head to the whiteboard. As we do, Danielle mutters something under her breath. My first instinct is to ignore her, but as we’re going to have to work together, whether we like it or not, I decide I need to make some sort of effort.

‘You OK?’ I ask.

‘Oh, it’s nothing.’

‘You sure? Problem shared and all.’

We start to read through the scenarios on the whiteboard, but Danielle clearly can’t help herself.

‘I was just thinking…’ She lowers her voice. ‘This room, it’s not very reflective of the society we live in, is it?’

‘What do you mean?’ I wonder if she’s going to come out with something truly insightful for once.

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