Another week, another stressful day. As much as I loved my job, I hated it at the same time. It's not like I hated the occupation no, I loved being a computer programmer manager great money and all but… the workers are hard to deal with. I mean how the Fuck do you manage to screw up a whole new system that was just developed.
"How do you manage to mess up a new system like this, do you know how much money it took to develop it!" The chief executive exclaimed.
I clenched my fists, trying my best to stay calm. The last thing I needed was to lose my cool in front of the whole department. I mean, I wasn't the one who screwed it up, but of course, as the manager, the blame was mine to bear.
"It's not that simple, sir," I said through gritted teeth, my voice controlled but laced with frustration. "There's a lot of variables that come into play when implementing a new system. It's not uncommon for issues to arise in the initial stages."
He glared at me, his face red with anger. "I don't care about your explanations, Nala. I care about results. This is a huge setback, and it reflects poorly on the entire team."
I could feel the weight of his words pressing on me, but I refused to let it show. Inside, I was boiling. I didn't deserve this. My team didn't deserve this. But at the end of the day, it was my responsibility to manage them, to fix things, and to make sure we stayed afloat.
"Understood," I said, keeping my voice steady. "I'll have a solution in place by the end of the day. We'll fix the issue, and I'll make sure this doesn't happen again."
The chief executive scoffed, clearly unconvinced. "You'd better. Or else you won't be managing anything for long." With that, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the room, leaving me standing there, trying not to scream in frustration.
I turned on my heel and straight to my office, I wasn't going to let my anger nor frustration take control of me in this situation. The last time I lashed out at a higher up I got put on temporary leave, without pay, so after that I've sworn to myself not to ever give into my anger.
——————
My name is Nala Quinn, age 31 manger of the programming department at Tech Innovators, Inc. I've worked my way up the ranks over the years, from a junior programmer to managing one of the most talented teams in the company. It hasn't been easy, and it's certainly been far from glamorous, but I'm proud of how far I've come.
But days like today? They make me question if it's all worth it. My team is incredibly talented, but managing personalities and the inevitable mistakes that come with high-stakes projects takes a toll on anyone. And right now, I can feel the weight of the entire department on my shoulders. The system failure? That's all on me now, whether I like it or not.
I sit down at my desk and pull up the latest reports, trying to focus on finding a solution. My fingers hover over the keyboard for a moment before I take a deep breath and begin typing. Fixing this system won't be easy, but I can't afford to fail—not this time.
As I worked, the door to my office creaks open, and I glance up to see one of my senior developers, Sean, standing in the doorway.
"Hey, you're needed down in the lobby for some interviews."
I sigh internally, my mind racing with a thousand things I need to do, but I know I can't ignore it. I straighten up, trying to shake off the tension in my shoulders. "Interviews? For what position?"
Sean leans against the doorframe, his arms crossed. "We're hiring for a new junior developer. HR just asked me to bring you down for the final round of interviews."
I groan softly, rubbing my temples. "Of course, they pick today for interviews." But I can't afford to show my frustration—there's no point in letting it build. "Alright, let's go. I'll be down in a minute."
I quickly shut down the tabs on my computer and stand up, grabbing my jacket off the back of my chair. My mind is still half on the system issue, but I know I can't put everything off, especially not something as important as hiring a new team member.
"Thanks, Sean. I'll try to make this quick."
He gives me a half-smile. "Good luck, Nala. I'm sure you'll handle it just fine."
I nod and walk past him, letting out a breath as I head to the elevator. The last thing I need is another distraction, but sometimes you have to take a step back and deal with the immediate tasks, even if they're annoying.
As the elevator dings and the doors open, I'm met with the bustle of the lobby, HR staff milling about, and the candidates for the junior position waiting nervously. I take a deep breath and approach the group, putting on my best "manager" face. It's time to get through this, even if my mind is still a million miles away.
One interview at a time.
…..
"Thank you, will keep in contact with you." I smiled as I closed up another resume, I let out a big sigh as I placed it to the side. "Long day huh?" Mila the CEO's assistant asked as she nudged my arm. "Tell me about it, I could really use some shots right now." I said half heartedly.
"How about after work, we could hi-" she gets interrupted by the door opening, I slightly looked up and it was a handsome looking young man. "Ooo, there's a sexy one." Mila whispered, I shot her a glare as I slightly smiled at the guy that just walked in.
"Have a seat." I gestured to the chair.
He smiled, his expression a mix of nervousness and excitement as he took a seat. "Thank you," he said, his voice smooth but carrying just a hint of uncertainty. I couldn't help but notice how well-dressed he was, his dark curly hair rested neatly on his head, and his sharp features that made him look like someone who belonged in the tech world. Definitely a contrast to some of the less polished candidates I'd seen today.
I pushed my thoughts aside, focusing on the task at hand. "So, tell me a little about yourself. Why do you think you'd be a good fit for this role?"
He straightened up in his chair, clearly ready for the question. "Well, I've been working with coding for over five years now, specializing in backend development. I've worked on a variety of projects, including system optimizations and integrating new technologies to improve performance. I'm passionate about problem-solving and being part of a team that pushes the boundaries of what we can do with code."
I nodded, impressed with his confidence. "That's great. And how do you handle pressure? Our team is constantly working under tight deadlines, and things can get pretty intense."
He didn't hesitate. "I thrive under pressure. I've been in situations where everything seems to be falling apart, and I've learned how to stay calm and focused. I believe in collaborating with my team to find solutions quickly, and I'm not afraid to ask for help when needed."
I glanced at Mila, who gave me a subtle thumbs-up. I nodded back, keeping my face neutral.
"Alright," I said, jotting down some notes. "You're clearly experienced, but it looks like you've only lasted on month in most of the companies you've worked for why is that?"
His confident demeanor faltered for a brief moment, and I noticed a flicker of unease in his eyes. He cleared his throat before answering, clearly weighing his words carefully.
"Yeah, I get that a lot," he began, shifting in his seat. "I've had a few short stints, but it wasn't because I wasn't doing the work or wasn't capable. It's more about company culture and the fit. I've found myself in environments where my skills weren't being fully utilized, or where I wasn't aligned with the company's goals. It's tough when you're passionate about the work but the direction isn't what you thought it would be. So, I've moved on in search of a better fit."
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his honesty. "So, you're saying it's a matter of alignment?"
"Exactly," he replied quickly. "I want to be part of a team that's not only skilled but also aligned with my values and ambitions. If I'm going to give my best, I need to believe in the vision of the company."
I nodded slowly, taking in his response. I liked the transparency, but I wasn't quite ready to let him off the hook just yet. "I appreciate your honesty, but if you're offered a position here, how can I be sure you won't leave after a few months again? We need someone who's committed and ready to stick around for the long haul."
He seemed to consider this for a moment before leaning forward slightly. "I understand your concern. And to be honest, I've learned a lot from my past experiences. I've realized the importance of finding a place where I can not only grow but also contribute meaningfully to the team. If I'm brought on board, I'm not just looking for a job—I'm looking for a place where I can make a real impact, and I'm fully prepared to stay and give my all."
His words were thoughtful, but I could tell this was a crucial moment—he had to convince me he was in this for the long run, not just another stepping stone. I glanced at Mila again, who was now watching the interview with a more serious expression.
"Alright, I'll take that into consideration," I said, tapping my pen on the desk. "Let's move on to the next question."
TBC