The real sting set in on the third day.
It wasn't about the formal policies listed in the email.
It was the moment everyone realized the person who'd always bailed them out at the last minute and covered up all their messy mistakes was actually done stepping in.
At Wednesday's regular team meeting, I asked Madison to update us on the new round of social media copy.
System records showed she'd missed every single one of her three assigned deadlines.
I asked, "Why?"
Her face went pale. "The team vibe's been so heavy these past couple days. It's killing my focus..."
"That's an excuse, not a result," I said.
Her eyes welled up. "Are you singling me out on purpose?"
I looked right at her. "Madison, you've spent this whole time convinced I'm the one pushing you around. But the thing tha
