The Phoenix Ghost

Reshaping Leadership on Both Sides of the Ocean

'Honestly, if we can't all - everyone of us - make a covenant together that there will never again be decision making outside of the whole team's participation, I don't want to be a part of the team anymore. With no desire to make this situation worse,' Silas put up his hands to Owen and North in a gesture of openness,

'There's every possibility that Owen and North's rogue decision has cost me the only woman I'll ever love and our children... Although I have no intention of quietly allowing that to happen. That said, I don't want to walk away from our team. I am prepared to fight for our family if everyone else makes the same commitment. You are all my family along with Sang and the children,' Owen and North shuffled on their feet awkwardly. They understood Silas meant no maliciousness toward them, but hearing the words he spoke made them both feel very small,

'Aside from making the commitment to fight for our family, I also want everyone of us to have a meaningful voice in decision making and for there to be no backtracking from Owen's edict that all decisions must be discussed until we reach a unanimous decision,' All eight of the others nodded their heads,

'I 100% agree with you, Si. We also think that sort of covenant is necessary if our team is to have a future. We were planning to start the discussion with who is still committed to being in the team, followed by the sort of covenant you just mentioned before we opened the discussion on what we all think the new team structure should look like and who should hold the management roles.

Seeing as everyone's here, perhaps the rest of you should have a look at our drafted ideas, decide if they are the way forward we all want, if not, make a new plan or if so, use it as is or else use it with changes; whatever we all agree,' Sean pushed the diagram he, Kota, Vic and Gabe had drawn along with their notes and tentative assignments of the nine team members onto the three tiers across the desk toward Luke, Silas and Nathan, who came closer to have a look,

'This was an option the four of us came up with - three tiers of three team members split by what we each are all best at,' Luke, Silas and Nathan leaned forward and viewed the diagram, processing the detail while Owen and North ventured further into Vic's office to get closer to the desk,

'So Sean would effectively be the team liaison with Silas and Owen as his second and third?' Nathan asked. Owen startled to hear he was to remain on the strategic tier,

'Not exactly. The idea is that any of the three team members assigned to the tier would be able to step into that role at any given time. Also it is just logical that three brains will look at decisions with a wider perspective. Honestly,' Sean sighed in resignation,

'Owen can tell you, I never wanted to be team liaison. With my career, I've always felt it would be more responsibility than I could handle well. But if I could share it with two others and maybe hand first seat to Silas in a year or so, then I think I could manage,' Silas stared at Sean in shock,

'Me? Man, are you sure I'm the right person for that tier and the second seat?' Sean smiled at Silas in pride and respect,

'We have all been paying attention to how much you've grown over the last 6-12 months, Si. The way you spoke yesterday about Sang and fatherhood shows that you truly grasp the values we all want our team to embrace. You are already second only to North in getting things done. Truthfully if you weren't so diplomatic to North's control issues, you'd be the best at making things happen in our team. It's that humility that would make you a good foil for Owen and me... Frankly, laying my cards fully on the table, it's only because I know you need time to learn the planning side of the role that I'm not pushing for you to take the first seat as team liaison now,' Silas considered Sean's words as several of the others shook their heads in agreement,