Page 20 of Fierce-Zander

“I get it,” Kellen. “I don’t ask enough questions.”

“It’s asking the right ones that count,” she said.

“And I did that in my interview and got the job. I left because there was nowhere else to move where I was. It was a smaller company and they promoted me to a position that didn’t exist. I was hired as a Business Analyst and they promoted me to a Business Analyst Two. It was a way to give me a bigger raise because I was taking on more work, but there isn’t anywhere else to go. I’m too young to stay in this slot.”

“Agreed,” she said. “But if you were happy?”

“I was happy enough in the job and the people I worked for, but again, I want more of a challenge. I wanted more money.”

She just hoped this wasn’t Kellen wanting attention or trying to make up for things he thought he should have.

She’d dial it back though. “I’m happy for you if you’re happy.”

“I am,” Kellen said. “I was hired with the same title at ten thousand dollars more. There is a Senior Business Analyst I could move up to, and a Lead. Not to mention management. Goals. How many times have we been told we need goals in life?”

She laughed. “Too many,” she said. “Dad’s famous last words.”

“No clue what their goals and plans are or were, but there you are. I asked to talk at this time because I needed a pep talk.”

“Oh,” she said.

Kellen laughed. “Now you could have asked me a question.”

Regan felt as if she couldn’t always win with him. “Why do you need a pep talk?”

“I’m going to my boss to give my resignation. I like MaryJo and it’s nothing against her. I’m afraid she’s going to be mad and say she went to bat for me two years ago.”

“She might,” she said. “But remember, you can’t control other people’s feelings and emotions. That isn’t what this is about. This is about you and your life and career advancement. Are you going to another industry?”

“Yes,” Kellen said. “I was in finance at a small investment firm. Now I’m going to a large nationwide energy company.”

“That’s wonderful. So you state facts. You appreciate everything she’s done for your career. You’ve learned a lot from her. This is about career advancement and growth. Do you think they will try to give you more money to stay?”

“Yes,” Kellen said. “But I won’t take it. It’s not about money. Not completely. And you gave me all the keywords I was planning on saying anyway.”

“You know what to do and say,” she said.

“I do. I guess I still need my big sister to guide me and be in my corner. Even if I mess up.”

She’d been his biggest champion and defender for years. She never judged him and helped him when she could. She didn’t always defend him fully though. She made him see and accept his mistakes and own them like she would anyone else.

“You didn’t mess up,” she said. “And I’m always here for you.”

“I know,” Kellen said. “So maybe you can let Mom and Dad know that this was a good decision when they give me crap over it.”

“They have no right to give you crap over your career choices,” she said. “You’re an adult who is independently living on your own. You don’t ask them for anything either. Just say it was your five-year plan, they will eat that up.”

“That’s right. But you know, they always have something to say.”

“They do,” she said. “But you have a bad habit of picking everything they say apart looking for something that might not exist.”

“You know why,” Kellen argued.

“Let it go, Kellen. And don’t get yourself worked up. Congrats on the new job. Go in there and be proud of all you’veaccomplished and be excited over this new opportunity. If MaryJo can’t feel that way for you, then it’s best that you leave too.”

“Thanks, Regan. I appreciate it.”

“And I’ve got to go,” she said. “My next appointment should be here soon.”

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