Free High Stakes by Robin Thomas Page A

performance, time management, and willingness to go that extra mile. But there’s something else too. This new position involves leadership skills, because whoever gets it will be managing a small team of about four to six people. People skills are probably the most important criteria of the lot.’
    Says the person who has none, I thought.
    ‘Both of you have what it takes if you put your minds to it. However, you’re loners. In early, out late. That’s good, folks — but you’ve got to mix, get to know others, understand what makes them tick. Most importantly you have to get on with each other. Whoever doesn’t get the promotion will be on the team of the one who does. So,’ she paused and smiled. It sent a chill down my spine. ‘I have decided that you’ll both work on one project. It’ll mean cooperating, understanding each other and watching each other’s back.’
    So we can stab it. Shush, I told my brain.
    ‘The question now is,’ she continued, ‘can you do it? I know there’s a bit of rivalry between you two. That’s fine, that’s healthy. But can you put it aside for the greater good of the company? This isn’t just about a promotion, this is about an attitude. To get to the top you need to put the business first and yourself last. I don’t need to tell you it’s a tough world out there. There are opportunities, but only for those who have the guts to take them. Well? Feedback?’
    ‘Brill idea, Shelley. I’d love the opportunity of working with Kate. She’s such a little go-getter! I’m sure we’ll get on fine.’ He flashed me a toothy grin and I forced a grimace in response.
    I didn’t want to but I had to ask. ‘Since we’ll be working together, helping each other, how will you be able to decide who is the best?’
    ‘Leave that to me, Kate. By the end of this I’ll know who the leader in this relationship is.’
    Relationship? Jeez, the only relationship I wanted with that creep was long distance, preferably with several continents between us because I’d kicked his arse that far.
    ‘What’s the problem, Kate? You want out of this?’
    ‘No, not at all. I welcome the challenge of working with someone of Pete’s calibre. I’m sure we’ll both learn a lot.’
    ‘Good. Here’s what you’re working on.’ she tossed a folder over her desk. ‘This is the PD policy for the staff. It needs updating. In the current environment, professional development is taking on increasing importance. It’s no longer a case of attending a few workshops or seminars that the company puts on. People have to be more proactive. They have to invest some of their own time and resources into furthering their careers — that is if they are interested in becoming valuable employees. I want a total rewrite of the policy and an updated pro forma for every employee to fill in outlining their own plans for PD, along with identification of their strengths, weaknesses, reflections on what they have done well, what they can improve on — that sort of thing. When you’ve done that, I want you to fill one in for each other. By the end of this you should know each other pretty well. I’ll be interested to see the results.’
    I tried to keep my jaw from falling open. She was a devious, conniving, sadistic bitch. I reached over to take the folder before Pete did. ‘When do you want it, Shelley?’ I asked.
    ‘Monday.’
    Shit, I thought. Today was Friday.
    ‘No problems,’ Pete said. ‘I’ve read the policy already and I have a few ideas. But Kate, you might like to familiarise yourself with it before we get together.’
    I opened my mouth to say something, but Shel gave me no chance. ‘Fine, the sooner you get started the better.’ She waved a dismissive hand at us and picked up the phone.
    As I headed out the door, she said, ‘And Kate, make sure this one’s on time.’ She glanced at the file I had placed on her desk and then back at me.
    I gave her a sickly smile and nodded.
    7:55am: I glanced