The feeling of having been disadvantaged

Markus Grosser sat at his desk and studied his hands. He was not sure, but it was quite possible that they were his hands. Clenched into fists. He recognized his watch, an Omega. He had financed it. It was worth it to him. With an accessory like that, you were part of the successful ones. 

That's what he thought. 

But then Huber called him. That was, maybe, an hour ago. He's been sitting there looking at his hands ever since. Maybe he should move them to make sure they're his. But he didn't have the energy anymore.

Before he had gone to see Huber, he had felt hope. Hope of getting the job as project director for prestige client Schwarzhuber. He had figured out chances. It was just the evening before he and his wife Lilly had gone over the candidate list again - until he was the only one left. 

To be on the safe side, he had also called Mr. Schwarzhuber personally to tell him that he would like to support him. He wanted to demonstrate proactivity, to position himself. 

But then he remembered Huber's face. It was the wrong expression. Since then Grosser has sat motionless at his table. He had already seen that others had not received the project leadership. People at - almost - his level. He had patted them jovially on the shoulders and said: "Don't worry, the project sounds better than it is, but it's actually only PMO".

He had never said more to these colleagues. The decision had directly opened up a gap between the successful ones who wore an Omega and the failed ones who didn't have an important key account. And he had always sensed this immediately. And he had always admired Huber's foresight and decision-making power.

He watched his right fist bang violently on the desk top. A short act of revolting. When had this ever happened to him? Not in his entire career. What would Lilly say? Should Lehmann get the project? Impossible! He and Lilly had crossed him off the list. 

He freed himself from his rigidity and looked at his watch. Time for lunch. He had to show his face, everything else would attract attention. He took a deep breath and went into the kitchen. Not much going on yet. Only Lehmann was there. At the espresso machine, Lehmann tapped him on the shoulder: "Don't worry, the project sounds better than it is, but it's actually only PMO".

#businessstory