Beyond the Leader

Chapter 5The Connection Discipline

Thomas shifted his bag on his shoulder as he entered the university library. Admittedly, it had been a while since his last visit to a university library, his last time being a cram session before a final. Leah had chosen this location specifically for their next meeting. The library has a plethora of rooms and additions that have been added since the original building was erected during the mid-century. Each room is adorned with the names of donors who have invested in the school's future. The Centennial Reading room was the perfect retreat from the calmer activity that occupied most all the study areas.

A week had passed since their conversation about trust, and though Thomas’s team was starting to open up, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was still missing.

Leah sat in the leather club chair surrounding the marble and iron table tucked in the far corner of the book-lined room. Her notebook was as ever-present as her calm demeanor. She looked up as Thomas approached, smiling warmly.

“Good morning, Thomas,” she greeted as she folded the book she was reading closed and placed it on the table. “How's the team?” she asked, motioning for Thomas to join her.

Thomas sat down, exhaling profoundly but in a hush to respect the setting. “Better. The safety-building exercises are starting to make a difference, but I feel like we're not fully connected yet. People are still holding back like they're doing their jobs but not really leaning ...