The Return

It was ten years since my internship finished at St. Angela’s when I was asked back to help with a surgical team that had some undefined problems involving poor working relationships.

Those ten years were well-spent in research, consulting and reading about dysfunctional organisations, psychopaths and political machinations. I was older and wiser as a result so I agreed to go back to St. Angela’s, the place of my nemesis, to satisfy, in part, my curiosity. How was the place after its merger? Who was in charge now? Had it improved over the intervening years? And what about that rowing club? Who was on the way up, and who was on the way down?

Remember Alex McLeod, the rower, who had been pushed-out by Robert MacCawdor, the then Director of Planning, who had knifed his boss, Duncan, for the job only to be replaced by the returning Alex during the merger? He got promoted to Chief Executive after his successful tenure in strategic planning and investment management.

St. Angela’s was by now classed as a “successful” place providing good services, churning out well-recognised medical research, and winning lots of rowing cups and medals.

Alex, as Chief Officer, had the best office on the executive floor with large dual aspect picture windows overlooking the river and its ever-present rowers practising for the next race and “8s” week. Helen, my saviour, was still there looking after the little people on the first floor and loyally supporting Alex. And Sue was still there, running down corridors with her sheafs of papers, and now, those modern gadgets that make everything even more pressing. She was certainly very busy.

Well St. Angela’s – I’m back to delve around in your murky corridors once again. What have you got for me? Continue reading →