Connected To Him (ManxMan)

Part 2: Chapter 49

Chapter 49: Competition

Ethan was in the deep end now. After a cushy month of training and avoiding the real strains of his position, Ethan was going to have to lead a team alone. Before his promotion, Ethan assumed that Leads had more responsibility but imagined it to be a cool, new challenge. The last thing he expected was to be indoctrinated into a secret cutthroat society. Okay, "secret cutthroat society" might be a hit of a stretch, but the sentiments stand.

That morning, Ethan took an extra ten minutes to speak to his new team. He waited until all of them had gotten settled for the day, then pulled them into an empty huddle room to talk for a bit. He knew of all six of them, and two he'd conversed with on more than one occasion. But there was a huge difference between making some small talk with a coworker and getting used to a new boss. Starting to lead a new group was what Ethan dreaded the most. He dreamed of and dreaded having to push against unruly subordinates or prove his right to lead.

This was the prevailing thought on Ethan's mind as he spoke to them that morning. But once his impromptu speech was over, he found that all six of the consultants he had seemed completely willing to listen to a new boss. He checked up on how previous assignments were going and gave new work to those that didn't have any before sending them on their way. Ethan imagined that with that pleasant meeting over, his day would be easy. However, it was the meeting Ethan was forced to attend only half an hour later that proved to be the most terrifying.

Once a week, all the team leads had a meeting with Mrs. Sanchez. She would give them new clients and ask if they had found any clients themselves. Ethan quickly learned that these meetings were less of an opportunity to update one another and more of a chance to get ahead. Team leads compared new clients like accolades and awards. Each large account was a step ahead of their competitors. And every time they finished their bragging session, the team leads would look over to Grace to check that she noticed their accomplishment. It was well known that team leads who performed well were in a great position to move up in the company. Now, Ethan knew why.

One man with perfectly gelled back blond hair bragged about the veterinarian chain he was bringing in. The announcement made Grace's lips drag up into a smile. It was a great account considering that medical systems tended to be more complicated and thus, more expensive.

"Nice work, Finnick," She praised briefly and Finnick's chest puffed up in pride. "Anyone else have anything to add?"

There was a beat of silence, alerting Grace that the well had momentarily dried up. She frowned as if people hadn't been announcing clients for nearly half an hour, then turned to look at Ethan who was sitting at one end of the long white table.

"Mr. Sterling, were you able to bring anyone in?" She asked pointedly. Ethan was startled by the question. He planned on sitting, listening, and learning as much as he could. Who was going to tell him that he was supposed to bring his own trophy as well?

"Uh, no. I thought that I would focus on getting to know my team-"

"You have all the time in the world to 'get to know' your team," Grace drolled, rolling her eyes as she quoted Ethan. "Our company needs clients to continue to thrive. As a team lead, one of your jobs is to find those. Do not forget that."

Nodding, Ethan slumped into his seat, ignoring the stares drilling into him at all sides. There wasn't any pity in the space, simply the glee of watching an obstacle fall. Ethan had the feeling that the peers surrounding him were not going to be eager to help him succeed. He would have to do that all on his own.

"Alright, if no one has anything else to add, meeting dismissed!"

They all waited for Grace to slowly exit the room first before pouring out of the room. Ethan watched them race back to their desks and computers but Ethan made a B-line for the bathroom. He walked through, making sure there was no one in the stalls before grabbing his phone.