Knight Versus Knight (2)
I don't like sudden etings.
But today, as soon as I arrived at work, I couldn't help but call in Choi Hyena and the Marketing & PR Team.
When I brought up what I had talked about with Min Ji-na yesterday, Team Leader Shin Miyoung glanced at Kim Junho and spoke.
"We'll have to see how the actual outco turns out, but for now I think it's a really good idea. How about you, Junho-nim?"
"I think it's good, too. But if we're doing this to prevent a drop in visitors during the sumr, we need to quickly ask 115km for a mini-concert."
"Yes... And to be frank, even if we start right away, the reality is the tiline is too tight."
She's right. Preparing the 115km mini-concert will take ti, but promotion needs ti as well. I said,
"This year, it's supposed to rain a lot until mid-July. So, do you think it's possible to get this project going by the end of July?"
Kim Junho's eyes turned resolute.
"I'll contact 115km right now. After all, if 115km's schedule doesn't fit, everything falls apart, right?"
"That's correct."
"Then I'll put my all into getting it done. Even though division director-nim used their much-awaited day off to run tirelessly for Next Planet's future."
He suddenly clenched his fist and raised his voice.
"Now it's my turn to match 115km's schedule, with a 'do or die' spirit."
That drive is really appreciated. But why so overenthusiastic again? It's overwhelming. Being a division director isn't easy.
Choi Hyena glared at Kim Junho with a fierce look.
"Junho-nim, don't overdo it."
"No... It's just that..."
"You're making division director-nim uncomfortable."
That sense of hers is invaluable. The way Kim Junho instantly shrank back after her words is a bit pitiful.
"But your determination is great. If we all have that kind of resolve and unite as one, we can take all of Next Planet. Now! Let's keep bringing achievents and drive out all obstacles."
How am I supposed to respond here? Since I have no idea how, what I said was,
"I'm counting on all of you to do your best in your roles."
Thanks to Kim Junho's genuine commitnt to everything, perhaps?
115km replied that since they're only singing one song, they could adjust their schedule for us.
So today, what Choi Hyena and I have to do is visit Next Global.
When we arrived at Pangyo Station, Choi Hyena said,
"Wow... I must have beco a real Nonsan person. Coming from Nonsan to Pangyo feels like entering a whole new world. So many people, such tall buildings. Why does this sight feel so awkward? I went to university in Seoul, you know."
"Nonsan is definitely a small city."
"I wish Next Planet were in Pangyo. That'd be amazing, right?"
"It really would. We'd have so many more cards to play."
"Division director-nim, the fact that we're creating sothing from nothing might make it more valuable. Let's keep our spirits up today, thinking we're making the history of Korea's the parks."
I unknowingly smiled.
She seems even more energetic than usual today. But seeing her hand tremble slightly, she must be nervous.
"It's nice to see your passion. But maybe it's because you've been hanging out with Junho-nim lately—you two are starting to act alike."
"Ah! It's... not like we're always together. But since we see each other a lot, maybe we influence each other."
We arrived at the Next Global building. It feels strange. I used to be an employee here.
Now I'm visiting for business.
We t the director of the External Business Office at Next Global.
He is a rather thin man in his fifties, exuding a strict impression.
"Ah... hel... lo. Next... Planet... Choi Hyena... here."
Choi Hyena looked like a malfunctioning robot. She's definitely nervous.
Yeah, recently she's shown a reliable side, but she's still an inexperienced employee in her twenties.
When facing soone like the External Business Office director—high-ranking, experienced, and professional—it's only natural to show so weakness.
Beads of sweat ford on her forehead.
It was entertaining enough that I kind of wanted to keep watching, but I needed to step in.
I said,
"You wearing a suit—I think I've only seen that at a funeral before."
At my words, the director smiled and spoke.
"I never thought the day would co when I could talk eye to eye with Hyunmin like this."
A gentle voice.
He was once my boss.
We only worked together for about two years—not a long ti—but he showed how those above should behave.
"Wearing a suit is uncomfortable. When I was focused just on developnt, I never had to wear one. You also look good in a suit, Hyunmin—how is it?"
He paused, then smiled again.
"I let my old mories guide —I shouldn't address you so informally. It's not right to just call you Hyunmin now. Division director Lee Hyunmin, it's really nice to see you like this."
"Uh... yes... That's right."
I'm no different from Choi Hyena—why can't I speak properly?
Because of all my recent experiences, I thought I had gotten used to situations like this, but I guess that was only within my own company. Outside, it's different.
Director Kim Cheolhun said with a benevolent expression,
"Division director Lee Hyunmin, since we have so history, I'll speak comfortably with you, if that's alright?"
"Yes... that'd be great. I'd appreciate that."
Sweat was breaking out on my forehead too.
"I reviewed your proposal thoroughly. It was so well put together—very much what I'd expect from you. No objections here. I can brag that I taught you well, right?"
"Of course. I learned so much from you."
mories ca back. Back when he was my team leader, director Cheolhun often told :
"Why do you write proposals? Is it just about stuffing in ideas or numbers? Does that an anything? The purpose of a report is to persuade those above to actually do sothing. So, it has to have sothing compelling that will move them."
I used to struggle a lot trying to make it compelling. But thanks to him, I got a lot of training.
He always enthusiastically gave feedback on every detail.
"For this project, for the sake of promoting Next Global, we'll support Next Planet without asking for extra costs. Ah! But let draw one clear line here."
My old boss held out his hand.
I took it.
He used to sotis do this at drinks after work, although his grip is weaker now than then.
But it feels warr.
"I didn't submit the agenda to the chairman. I'm going ahead with this by my judgnt. I think it'll help our Next Global, and honestly, I trust you as a person. So, I need you to do well."
"I'll do my best, no matter what."
"Yes, my reputation depends on you, division director."
Maybe because we had a connection and because working together could bring good results, the negotiation went how I wanted.
When the eting ended and we were saying goodbye, the director patted my shoulder.
"Now that the eting's over, I can be even more relaxed. Our Hyunmin, you've really changed a lot since the old days."
"Have I changed that much?"
"You're running toward what you really want to do. It's nice to see."
That's the thing I hear most these days. I never thought I'd hear it from my old boss, though.
"But you still have a ways to go."
"If you teach , I'll learn."
"What you're doing now is a bit lacking."
As I made a face not understanding his aning, he clarified.
"A company is basically like a territory. The CEO is the lord, right? So what about us? We're knights sent out to fight on behalf of our own territories."
A knight, ?
That's a new perspective.
"No matter how big the other territory, and even if the other person used to be your boss, the representative knight shouldn't ever humble themselves before the rival knight. That's not about politeness."
My forr boss was teaching how to approach negotiations as a representative of my company.
"Always be confident. That's how you make sure the other knight doesn't underestimate you. I want to wish you luck. I'll be cheering you on."
Right, I still have a lot to learn.
"Thank you. I'll rember your advice today."
"I'm rooting for the path division director Lee Hyunmin will walk."
I received both support and advice.
I returned to the office.
This project can't be handled by just our division's strength.
So, I went to see Lee Ji-young, division director of the External Business Division.
The detailed execution for the project should be handled by the External Business Division—it's their area.
I told her that we'd secured support from Next Global.
"Wow! Division director Hyunmin, you really have remarkable capabilities."
This person is fascinating. She really seems like she's sincerely complinting —without a hint of pretense.
Of course, I don't think she deals with out of complete innocence. She's different from my old boss I spoke with a few hours ago.
But right now, she is certainly friendly.
"We're planning to fully cooperate with the Reform Division. But I do have a favor to ask..."
She gave a aningful smile.
"Since you already wrapped up the major negotiations with Next Global, technically, the collaboration with Next Global this ti can't really be counted as External Business Division's achievent, can it?"
"That's true."
"But could you let our division have the achievent for this? Our people need to get so of the rewards too, otherwise they can't stay motivated, right?"
So this is her angle. I didn't expect that.
I looked at her for a mont. To her expression, she doesn't seem like she'd sabotage the project if I refused.
But even so...
Collaboration with Next Global is my achievent. Strictly speaking, it's not really anyone else's in the Reform Division.
So, if I hand this achievent over to External Business Division, I'm simply giving away my own achievent.
It's not like they'd be taking sothing that belongs to the Reform Division.
Lee Ji-young, as a division director, probably just wants to take care of her own people.
That's the sign of a good leader—it helps her people trust her.
Knight versus knight, huh.
Right, a knight has to feed their squires and followers. This taphor applies inside the company, too.
Anyway, my own priority is making the project a success. I don't need to collect every individual achievent for myself.
Of course, technically I could claim it all for the Reform Division, but trying too hard to be greedy never ends well.
It's better in the long run to share what's to be shared.
Looking at her face, I can tell she calculated all this before asking.
She's sharp in these matters—no wonder she's a division director.
But I need to make things clear. I'm in overall command of this project.
Director Lee Ji-young is on my side, so she needs to play her part within the frawork I build.
"Director Lee Ji-young, that's fine. You can take all the credit for cooperating with Next Global. However, there's a condition."
"Thank you for your understanding. What's the condition?"
"The Business Strategy Team is going to want a piece of this too."
All the work I'm doing now—they could demand it be turned over to the Business Strategy Team.
Frankly, if the Reform Division—whose scope is always vague—didn't exist, this would naturally belong to Business Strategy Team.
But I don't think Team Leader Lee Siwon would handle this well, and there's no need to support the vice CEO's camp, either.
"I'll share the achievent with External Business Division, not with Business Strategy Division. Let's be clear about that line."
"You an, if Business Strategy Division tries to pass it off to the Business Strategy Team, you want to block that at my level?"
"Yes. I don't want unnecessary interference. Anyway, don't you have close ties to the vice CEO? This ti, you'll need to support completely."
"Fine. If I don't take your side, my people get nothing to eat. Of course I'll show that much sincerity."
For a mont, her eyes sparkled.
"And as a bonus, for this project, if the vice CEO or the executive vice president tries anything fishy, I'll share everything with you."
She's really the right fit for this project.
Now I can move on with peace of mind.
Next, I need to decide who will be the first guest for the Super Day Tour.
Since it's the first, I want to invite the most aningful guest possible.
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