4 Skills: Reading - LEVEL 06 - First day at work

Emilia stepped out of the meeting room, her mind still racing. The client had liked her idea. In fact, he had loved it. For a brief moment, she had felt confident—almost certain she had done the right thing. But as the door closed behind her, that feeling faded. Something didn’t sit right. André caught up with her near the end of the corridor.

“Hey,” he said, lowering his voice. “That was… impressive.”

Emilia let out a small breath. “Thanks,” she replied, though she didn’t sound entirely convinced.They walked side by side for a few seconds in silence.

“I’m just not sure it was worth it,” she added. André glanced at her. “What do you mean?”

“I mean… I spoke when I wasn’t supposed to. And now Nathalie’s not exactly thrilled.”

André gave a soft, knowing nod. “Yeah… that tends to happen.” Emilia looked ahead, thinking. “But the client agreed with me,” she said. “Isn’t that the point?”

“It is,” André replied. “But that’s not the whole story.” They slowed down as they reached a quieter part of the office. “It’s not just about having good ideas,” he continued. “It’s also about understanding how things work here… and how Nathalie works.”

Emilia turned to him. “Then help me understand.” André hesitated for a second, as if choosing his words carefully. “This agency…” he said, “it used to be entirely hers. Every campaign, every client, every decision—it all went through her.”

Emilia listened closely.

“She built it from nothing,” he went on. “Reputation, identity, everything. Fortier & Associés wasn’t just a company. It was her vision.” “And then they sold it,” Emilia said. André nodded. “The board made that decision. Not her.”

Emilia frowned slightly. “That must have been difficult.” “It was,” André said. “And things changed after that. Not just structurally… culturally.” “How so?” Emili asked.

“She had to share control. Adjust to new processes. New expectations. And that’s not something she does easily.”

Emilia crossed her arms, thoughtful. “So she doesn’t trust people.” “Not right away,” André corrected. “She trusts consistency. Precision. Judgment.”

Emilia let that sink in. “I wasn’t trying to disrespect her,” she said quietly. “I just saw an opportunity… and I took it.”

“I know,” André replied. “And to be fair, your instinct was right.” “Then why give you the campaign?” Emilia asked. André smiled slightly, but there was no arrogance in it—only understanding. “Because in her world, control matters as much as creativity.”

He paused, then added: “She needs to know that things will be executed the way she expects. Not just imagined.”

Emilia nodded slowly. “So what do I do now?” she asked. André leaned casually against the wall.

“For now?” he said. “You observe. You learn the rhythm. You figure out what matters to her.”

Emilia looked at him, still unsure.

“And then?” André met her gaze. “And then, when you speak…” He gave a small, almost approving smile. “Make sure it’s worth it.”

1. Do you think Nathalie was right to give the campaign to André instead of Emilia? Why or why not?

2. If you were Emilia, would you speak in the meeting or stay silent? Why?