Page 51

50

MIA

“And that is why I believe acquiring Andersen Avenue is not only a smart financial decision but one that will improve public perception of Griffen Industries for years to come,” I finished, changing to the next slide. “Any questions?”

The table lined with men and women in suits looked back at me, soaking in the information. Gage sat at one corner, and I could see it in his eyes—he was proud of me. But Thomas? He looked pissed .

He’d presented a run-of-the-mill e-commerce business with decent returns and no soul.

Me? I’d killed that presentation, even with little warning on the time change and no sleep the night before. All I needed was the chance to bring it home with some solid questions and answers.

Tallie raised her hand first, asking the question we’d prepared as soon as she got to the office. “Have you considered the additional PR resources that will be required to receive the goodwill you’re hoping this will bring?”

I nodded. “First off, I’d like to say, it’s not a hope of gaining goodwill. Texans have a strong history of looking out for each other, and by partnering with a philanthropic business like Andersen Avenue, we will be signaling with concrete action that we are an organization committed to those values. Secondly, you’ll find the cost for additional PR and marketing staff has been included in the budget presented on page seventeen of your handouts.”

Several papers rustled, and Tallie gave me a subtle smile.

Shantel, our head of HR, asked the next question. “What training will be required of the Andersen Avenue team on Griffen Industries’ corporate culture?”

“Great question,” I said. “During the transition, there will be an orientation process just like with other businesses we have acquired in the past.”

Then Thomas spoke up. “And you will be overseeing this transition?”

“Of course,” I replied, straightening my shoulders like I was a soldier going into battle. It was an odd question, but if I knew him, he had an angle in asking it.

“Are you sure you have the capacity to take on such a large venture, especially with such a high-profile relationship that has you traveling the country for... games?”

The room fell silent. It was a slight, and everyone knew it.

But it was also a gift. Without realizing it, Thomas had given me my chance to address everyone’s unspoken doubts without looking desperate or pleading.

I looked at him with a placid smile. “I’m curious if you’d have asked that question of your male counterparts?”

Step one—point out that his issues with me were foundationally flawed. Done.

Thomas cleared his throat. “My male counterparts aren’t CEOs of a billion-dollar company taking on a time-intensive project that won’t pay off for over a year.”

Step two...

“As you mentioned, I’m CEO, and it’s important to be aware of the numbers, via the CFO.” I gave a pointed look at Thomas. “Can you let me know how our numbers have tracked in the last quarter, since I began seeing my ‘high-profile’ partner?”

He mumbled something.

“What was that?”

“Up 4.3 percent.”

“Thank you,” I said. Then I turned to the CMO. “Nick, can you share the search volume of ‘Griffen Industries’ the last quarter?”

The CMO shuffled through a manila folder, then pulled out a paper. He adjusted his spectacles and said, “Search volume has increased six hundred and fifty percent over the previous quarter.” He shuffled through more papers and pulled out a new one. “Our social media mentions have also increased by fifteen hundred percent, and sentiment is ninety-two percent positive.”

“Thanks, Nick,” I said, pacing over the carpeted boardroom floor at the head of the table. Then I spoke to our head project manager. “I thought this question might come up, and I believe in transparency, so, Penny, can you share my on-time completed task percentage, as well as the percentage of tasks that had due dates moved back?”

Penny nodded, reaching for her clipboard. “Eighty-five percent on-time task completion, which is seven percent higher than the company average, and twelve percent of tasks had due dates moved to a future date, two percent lower than company average.”

“Thank you, Penny.”

She nodded, making her brassy bangs wobble.

Thomas began to speak, but I held up a finger. “I’m not done.”

His face turned a light shade of red.

But his fire just fueled my own.

I was done playing games with my life to earn respect that should have been there all along. Tallie may be brilliant, but so was I. And my team had just shown indisputable data to prove that fact.

So I gave what might be the most important speech of my career. “Before I was CEO, I worked under Gage Griffen, the founder of this company. For years, I spent well over sixty hours a week with him, getting the best education of my life.

“I learned how someone of his caliber thinks, acts, and makes decisions. And one thing I learned is that if people are doubting your vision, that’s when you need to push harder. Because you have a vision not many people can see, which means you are seeing an opportunity .

“I have a vision for Andersen Avenue that can improve the community around us and Griffen Industries’ bottom line. The question for all of you, as leaders within this company, is: Are you going to let go of an incredible opportunity because it’s different than what we’ve seen before, because it’s wearing a dress instead of a suit?”

Shantel said, “I move we put this to a vote.”

Nick said, “I’ll second that.”

My heart ran wild, but I steadied myself by placing my hands flat on the conference room table.

This was the moment of truth.