“And what if I don’t want to change?” His voice was full of challenge.
“Oh, by the time I’m done with you,” she said quietly, “you will.”
Rico Megalos gave her a look of disbelief. Then his eyes narrowed. Obviously, he was not used to being challenged. His staff members were probably too scared of him to do anything but jump at his command.
Asia gave an inward chuckle. With her on the case all that would change. Little did he know what lay in store.
I’ve been doing a bit of research about you,” she continued, “but I’d like to ask you some questions. I need to understand where you're coming from.”
Rico uncrossed his arms and planted his hands on the desk. “You do know this appointment is only thirty minutes long. And I’m not going a minute over that.”
“Not a problem. Let's get started.” Asia pulled out her notepad and pen. “From my research I learned that you’re Greek by birth but you grew up in France. Correct?”
“Wrong.” He sounded smug. He was probably glad she’d messed up on that first point. “My father is Greek, my mother is Spanish. I was born in France and grew up there but spent summers in England.”
“Okay,” she said, dragging out the word as she scratched out her line of notes and scribbled down what he’d just said.
“And what does that have to do with anything?” he demanded.
“A lot, actually.” She kept her tone cool and nonthreatening. She had no intention of putting him on the defensive. “You have a mixed European background but now you’re in an environment where you must relate to an American staff.”
“So?”
“There’s a cultural divide here, one which you have to cross. And that’s what I’m here for - to help you make that leap.”
Rico gave a snort of derision. “You book an appointment and tie up thirty minutes of my day to tell me this? Merde! This is all Psychology nonsense.” He got up from the desk and walked over to the window. He shook his head, looking tense and frustrated. “Listen, Miss Miller-”
“Asia,” she said, calmly watching him, assessing his every move.
“Asia,” he repeated. “I don’t have time to waste. Europeans and Americans aren’t all that different. Our cultures are quite similar. Why waste time discussing my cultural background? It’s irrelevant.”
Asia shook her head and gave him a gentle smile. “That’s where you’re wrong. Family background and culture have everything to do with the issues you're having right now.”
“I’m not having any issues,” he said, his tone defensive. “The employees are.”
Asia nodded. “I agree. But as long as they're having issues you are, too. The head can’t be okay if the body is in trouble.”
That silenced him. For the moment. As he stared back at her he frowned, seeming deep in thought.
Before he could come back with a rejoinder she continued. “Now let's look at the cultural aspect of things. From my personal observations I think it is safe to say that Europeans, particularly the French, tend to be more direct in their speech than Americans.”
He said nothing but cocked his head to one side and gave her a sidelong glance. He was listening but didn’t want to seem too interested. She knew that look. At least he was paying attention. And looking cute while doing it.
Asia shook her head. Focus, woman. She continued. “The manner in which you communicate with your team is very different from the norm in this country.”
“What manner are you talking about?” He was frowning again.
“You express your anger very openly,” she said, keeping all judgment from her voice. “You’re free with your expressions of frustration and often use swear words during discussions. Using swear words is your own personal touch but such behavior does not sit well with the recipients of those reprimands.”
“But it’s all part of the discussion,” he said, looking at her like she was stupid to even bring it up. “How else can you get new ideas if you don’t have spirited discussions?”
“Spirited discussion is great.” She nodded in agreement. “However, it gets difficult when the boss dominates the discussion and is so free with his judgment and criticism that his team members are driven into silence.”
He opened his mouth to speak but she put up a hand.
“No, let me finish.” She was not about to let him dominate her, too. “It may be out of self-doubt or it may be out of fear but the fact remains that your people are not talking. They're not sharing their ideas and it’s because of you.”
He was biting his lips now and she could see the struggle on his face. He wanted to speak but he was not about to let her halt him again. Clearly, he didn’t like being told what to do.
“Your leadership style needs a touch of diplomacy, Rico. Sometimes it’s not what you say but how you say it.”
“Zut alors! That is enough.” He threw up his hands, finally letting out his frustration. “Do you think my people are stupid? Why would they be afraid of me? Just because I let off steam and express myself in meetings? That is hogwash. Basura."
“So why do you think they called me in?” She gave him a tight smile.
“I don’t know,” he said. “Probably a stupid joke, just something to waste my time. Demonios!"
“Rico,” she said softly, “you do realize you've been using swear words in my presence even though we've just met?”
“Swear words?”
“Yes, swear words. Whether in French, Greek or Spanish, that’s what they are - swear words. And whatever the language, they sound just as ugly.”
That seemed to take him aback. He shook his head as if he couldn’t believe what she was saying then he walked over and pulled out the chair from behind his desk. He sat down.
When he looked at her his lips were tight but his eyes had lost some of their fire. Just a little. “What do you want from me?”