That afternoon, I signed my contract with Summit: Division Director of Pacific Northwest Operations. The salary was 40% higher than what I’d been making at Peak Valley, with better benefits and a sign-on bonus. As I left Summit’s offices, I checked my phone to find seven new messages, one from each core member of my former team. They all wanted to meet for coffee, privately.
Tuesday morning, I sat at a quiet corner table in a small coffee shop downtown, waiting. Eric arrived first, then Rebecca. One by one, Nathan, Angela, Monica, Sophia, and Jack joined us until we filled two tables pulled together.
«Peak Valley is imploding,» Nathan said without preamble. «Greg’s micromanaging everyone. Richard is breathing down his neck, and clients are asking questions.»
«The Thompson account is threatening to pull out,» Rebecca added. «They wanted to know why you weren’t handling their renewal.»
I sipped my coffee, listening as each shared similar stories of chaos and frustration.
«We heard you’ve accepted a position at Summit,» Eric finally said. The others grew quiet, watching me intently.
«News travels fast,» I observed.
«We want to come with you,» Rebecca stated firmly. The others nodded in agreement.
I studied their faces. «You all have good positions at Peak Valley, secure jobs. Are you sure you want to risk that?»
«What security?» Angela asked bitterly. «If they’d fire you for attending your mother’s funeral, none of us are safe.»
«Summit is hiring,» I said carefully. «I can’t promise anything, but I can refer you. Each of you would need to apply formally.»
«We already have,» Sophia revealed, pulling out printed copies of confirmation emails. «All seven of us, yesterday.»
I couldn’t hide my surprise. «You applied before talking to me?»
«We trust you, Morgan,» Jack said simply. «Where you go, we go.» I felt a surge of emotion, gratitude mixed with vindication. «Let me make some calls.»
The following Monday, my phone rang at 7:30 AM. The caller ID displayed Richard Bennett, Peak Valley’s district manager.
«Morgan,» Richard’s voice had a forced calmness. «We need to talk.»
«Good morning, Richard,» I replied, keeping my tone neutral. «What can I do for you?»
«I’ve just received seven resignation letters, all from your former team, all effective immediately.» There was a pause. «Care to explain?»
«I’m not sure what explanation you’re looking for. I don’t work for Peak Valley anymore.»
«They’re all going to Summit, where you just started as division director.» His voice hardened. «This doesn’t look coincidental.»
«People make career choices for various reasons, Richard. Perhaps you should ask Greg why your top-performing team is leaving en masse.»
«This is about your termination, isn’t it?» He sounded resigned now. «I’ve reviewed the situation. Greg didn’t consult me before letting you go. I would never have approved it.»
«That’s between you and Greg,» I replied, «though I’m curious why Peak Valley’s district manager wasn’t involved in terminating a team lead.»
Richard sighed. «Greg claimed it was an urgent performance issue that couldn’t wait for my return from the Portland conference. I trusted his judgment. Clearly, that was a mistake.»
I said nothing, letting the silence grow uncomfortable.
«Look, Morgan,» Richard finally continued, «I’m prepared to offer you your position back with a 10% raise and a formal apology. We need your expertise. The Thompson account is threatening to walk.»
«I appreciate the offer, Richard, but I’ve accepted a position elsewhere.»
«We’ll match whatever they’re paying, plus 15%.»
«It’s not about the money.»
«Then what would it take?» There was desperation in his voice now. «Seven key employees walking out simultaneously is devastating. The operational knowledge alone…»
«It would take time travel,» I interrupted. «Going back to when my mother died and having Peak Valley show basic human decency instead of punishing me for grieving.»
The line went quiet.
«I need to go, Richard. I start my new position today, and I don’t want to be late.»
«Your non-compete…» he began.
«Feel free to have your legal team contact mine,» I replied evenly. «Though they might want to review the circumstances of my termination first.»
After hanging up, I drove to Summit’s offices, arriving early to prepare for the day. Julia met me in the lobby, beaming.
«We’re considering all seven of your former colleagues,» she said. «Their qualifications are impressive. Interviews start Wednesday.»
«Thank you for giving them a fair chance,» I replied.
«Fair chance? Morgan, they’re top talent. Peak Valley’s mistake is our gain.»
Two days later, I received another call, this time from Natalie Pham in Human Resources at Peak Valley. «I shouldn’t be telling you this,» she said quietly, «but Greg Turner has been placed on administrative leave pending review. Richard is launching an investigation into management practices, particularly around bereavement and time-off policies.»
«That’s good to hear,» I said genuinely.
«The board of directors is involved now,» Natalie continued. «Losing an entire specialized team to a competitor has triggered alarm bells. They’re reviewing all terminations from the past year.»
By Friday, all seven of my former team members had received and accepted offers from Summit. We met for dinner to celebrate, raising glasses in a toast.
«To new beginnings,» Rebecca said.
«And to Morgan,» Eric added, «who taught us what real leadership looks like.»
The following week, I received a formal letter from Peak Valley acknowledging my wrongful termination and offering a settlement to avoid litigation. I accepted it, not for the money, but for the official admission that they had been wrong. That same day, the Thompson account signed with Summit, bringing their business to us after learning that their preferred team now worked under my direction. The river had moved, but we had remained firm like stones, just as my mother had taught me.
Three months later, I stood at the front of Summit’s largest conference room, presenting our quarterly results to the executive team. The numbers spoke for themselves: 30% growth in our division, four major client acquisitions (three of them former Peak Valley accounts), and operational efficiency improvements that had reduced costs by 22%.
