The Sales and Marketing Department meeting room was unusually quiet. Two new leaders were arriving. Initially, only Mary Cooper's arrival had been announced; the new director was downplayed. Only now did they learn the new Director was Hannah Wells. Furthermore, a peculiar incident had occurred: Mary received respectful treatment, while Hannah was pointedly ignored, creating an exceedingly awkward situation. The awkwardness lingered.
"Hello everyone, I'm Hannah Wells, the new Director of the Sales and Marketing Department. It's my first day. I've called this meeting to get to know you all and foster better cooperation," Hannah stated, her tone neither humble nor arrogant. She appeared mature and competent.
All eyes turned to Hannah. First impressions often hinge on how someone speaks, and some initially deemed Hannah unqualified for the position. They assumed her privileged background would manifest as arrogance and bossiness, a repeat of Jane's ill-fated tenure. Jane's incompetence had hampered the team, making the director's position notoriously difficult, a fact contributing to the previous director's swift departure upon Hannah's arrival. Yet, Hannah's approachable demeanor and humility surprisingly impressed everyone. Warm applause erupted.
"To be frank, I'm Miguel Cooper's daughter, 22 years old, and this is my first job. I'm unfamiliar with workplace procedures. Please correct any professional misjudgments; nothing is personal," she declared.
Her courage and presentation skills surprised everyone. This young woman was not to be underestimated. Even those more experienced felt a sense of her authority, yet perceived it as stemming from dedication rather than an abuse of her family's influence.
"I won't waste time with introductions. I'll get to know you individually during work. Now, let's address work arrangements," Hannah stated directly. Typically, such meetings would last at least half an hour, sometimes a full day, including individual introductions. However, nobody wanted to extend work hours to compensate for unproductive meetings.
"First, supervisors, join a work-related chat group. No off-topic conversations. Second, I need a list of each person's current tasks and the department's overall workload. Submit progress reports and key personnel by day's end. Third, I need resumes of all Sales employees. Mary, you'll handle this."
Mary was taken aback. She hadn't expected to be directly addressed.
"Like you, you're new, so it's beneficial to familiarize yourself with everyone," Hannah explained.
"Yes," Mary reluctantly agreed. This task typically fell to a secretary, but Hannah's justification, while valid, felt unkind.
"By the end of the day," Hannah added.
"Alright."
"That's all. You may leave," Hannah announced, rising.
The meeting's brevity – less than ten minutes – astonished everyone. The efficiency was remarkable.
Back in her office, the cleaning lady, visibly embarrassed, stammered, but Hannah, without acknowledging her, turned to leave. She felt compelled to report to her father on her first day.
Hannah's sudden departure confused the others. Meanwhile, Mary, gritting her teeth, returned to her meticulously decorated office. However, Hannah's presence had soured her satisfaction. Suppressing her displeasure, she called her father.
"Dad," she began, her tone aggrieved.
"Your first day? How was it?" Roger, overly fond of Mary, especially after Jane's disgrace, inquired.
"Fine, except Hannah also started today," Mary responded, surprised.
"What?" He'd instructed HR to welcome his daughter, unaware of Hannah's concurrent arrival.
"She immediately overshadowed me," Mary choked back tears. "Using her father's position, she humiliated me. While others were welcoming, she was cold. She even made me do secretarial work during the meeting."
"She has no right!" Roger fumed.
"She's the Director; I'm just a manager," Mary lamented. "It's not about her seniority; it's unfair to Jane. I heard Uncle Miguel opposed Jane's management position, deeming her unqualified and fearing ridicule. He acted as if we owed him. Yet, he made his daughter a director at 22; unheard of in Northfield!"
Mary's words ignited Roger's long-standing jealousy of Miguel, making the situation utterly unacceptable.