Chapter 1: Ling's Impact on the Team

Three months ago, Ling joined my team and quickly became an invaluable asset. She assisted Joe, my bulldozer Gen X colleague, and Isabelle, our Princess Gen Z team member. It didn't take long for me to recognize her dedication; her posture, enthusiasm, and pace were truly remarkable.

Shortly after her arrival, we made a commitment to her university to prioritize her exposure to various tasks over mere assignments, and we delivered on that promise.

This morning, Ling was instrumental in preparing for a client pitch. Currently, she’s working with another sales manager, and this is her final project with us. Yet, I don't feel any sense of relief as her time approaches its end.

Jason, a colleague, invited me to join the client pitch this morning, knowing my experience with energy and utilities clients would be beneficial. He sought my presence to ensure that any challenging questions would be addressed. I agreed without hesitation.

The meeting was set for 9 AM, and to avoid traffic, I left home early, eager for a cup of black coffee to kickstart my day. I arrived at the office by 8:10 AM, grabbed my laptop from my bag, and headed to the pantry for my coffee before making my way to the boardroom.

As I checked the time, it was 8:22 AM—early enough, but I soon discovered I wasn’t the first one there. Ling was already in the boardroom, fully engaged in her work.

Upon my arrival, I greeted her and took a seat at the back. However, Ling promptly approached me, saying, "Boss, this isn’t your seat; you should sit here."

Confused, I asked if there was a seating arrangement I had missed. She reassured me that there was none formally set, but she had arranged seats to align with the power dynamics at the table, ensuring I was next to Jason so the client recognized me as a senior decision-maker.

Wow. This was incredibly insightful.

Ling's proactive approach demonstrated that she was far from just an order-taker; she was a valuable member of the team, paying attention to details that could influence our success.

I was genuinely impressed.

"Get busy," I said, "I'll wait for the session to start." Ling busied herself, pacing around the room with purpose.

Over the next ten minutes, I skimmed through the pitch brief while keeping an eye on her. She was busy adjusting the laptop settings, testing the microphone, and ensuring that everything was set for a seamless presentation.

Her level of preparation was astounding. It felt as if she had taken it upon herself to ensure the team's success, and I couldn't help but appreciate her effort.

At 8:45 AM, as Jason's team began to arrive, it was clear they had put in the late hours to prepare for this crucial pitch. I felt reassured knowing Ling was there to support them.

I couldn't help but think of Isabelle and sighed. Ling was younger, yet her professionalism stood out.

Just then, Jason rushed in, thanking me for my support. "Your presence gives me confidence that we can nail this," he said.

I replied, "Ling has everything under control. You're all set. Go."

He stepped up, and Ling was ready to assist him, guiding him on the tech setup and ensuring he was miked up without wasting a moment.

Ling then positioned herself at the office door, welcoming our prospects as they arrived around 9:05 AM. Jason's team came to life, energized for the pitch.

The presentation flowed smoothly, and afterward, Jason remarked, "She is beyond impressive." He was thrilled with how everything went.

I agreed wholeheartedly, stating, "This has been one of the smoothest pitch presentations I've attended. Ling is exceptional."

Jason suggested we discuss an offer for Ling before he hurried off. "Absolutely, she’s a gem. We need to make her an offer."

On my way to my office, I spotted Ling at Isabelle's desk, happily watering Isabelle's sunflowers.

As I glanced at her, I felt confident that my decision to hire her was the right one.

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Chapter 2: The Importance of Dedication in the Workplace

This chapter highlights the significance of commitment and attention to detail in achieving success within a team environment.