By lunch, Brad had already begun delegating. “Ethan, you handle the analytics. Claire, polish the design. I’ll work on the delivery.” His “delivery” usually involved a mirror pep talk and half a dozen catchphrases rehearsed in the restroom. “You’ve got the brains, I’ve got the charm,” he declared proudly.
The team exchanged glances. They all knew the pattern: Ethan would do the heavy lifting, Brad would slap his name on it, and somehow the company would call it leadership. But this time, Ethan nodded with perfect calm. “Sure, Brad. I’ll make something unforgettable.”