Evangelical! Enthusiastic! Electrifying!

Tony is leading the session on preferred style. He has both thumbs
raised just in line with his nipples. He could be holding a pair of
Playstation joysticks. An engaging smile of innate enthusiasm
highlights the no-nonsense lines around his eyes and mouth. He has just
called a process check and contracted with us to extend the break-out
group discussion for another five minutes. OK! Cool.

Tony is a snappy bantomweight. He used to be a P.E. instructor before
going into this, and, although he is skinny (his shirt balloons out of
the small of his back), I can see him in the job. He has the common
touch. A big smile and South London accent. And a training-ground might
in his voice which commands attention. If anyone could convince me that
ten circuits on a wet and windy Saturday morning could be fun, I reckon
Tony's the man.

'Guys!' he enthused as he drew a line under his delivery of the aims
and objectives. 'We're gonna take a look at ourselves, yeah?' And then
he raised his fists above his head, like a champion boxer, revealing
two dark blue patches of sweat-soaked Ralph Lauren check. The
perspiration of devotion. 'Go for it, guys! Go!'

One thing I must ask Tony. He keeps talking about the 'Piece'. The
Piece around this, the Piece around that. 'Yesterday we did the Piece
around the business, around you, and around your interpersonal
relationships,' he told us earlier.

I don't know what he means. Is the Piece something I can read? Or do I
listen to it? Am I right on the spelling, or is Tony describing the
opposite of war? Do I eat the Piece? Or do I ask how long it is? I must
deploy my inquiry skills to establish what message Tony is advocating
through the Piece. I must seek clarification on this blinking
word.

Incidentally, I wish to cherish these moments of naivety. I must
remember not to forget them, these moments in my young life which
remain uncontaminated by the management speak, the pyramids and
icebergs, the arounds and process checks. Shortly, no doubt, they will
find their way stealthily and unnoticed into my every day vocabulary.
It will be like a lost innocence, a sacrificed virginity. But for now I
am free, and must hold on to this precious freedom.

I decide I will not after all seek to challenge Tony.

Best keep the Piece, as it were.

The story continues in my ABC Set 'Corporate Cuddling'