Fluff

One of the people I led struggled to produce their plans for the business.

I was patient. Too patient, as it turned out.

The plans never arrived.

Usually, I act quickly when someone isn't working out. This time, others saw it before I did.

I think I know why.

I listened for friction: the missed beat, the tension, the sense that something is off.

This person created none.

They were engaged, sincere and always working towards something. I remained confident that the right work would appear at the right time.

I took their intent for output.

There was always activity. Always fluff. Always a plausible explanation: "just fine-tuning, nearly there." Always the sense that progress was just around the corner.

That was the alarm. I was listening for friction.

The person left before it came to a head. The plans never arrived.