08.05.04 How Sheila's Poor Decisions Dented Fredrick's Professional Credibility A Fictitious Story

How Sheila’s Poor Decisions Dented Fredrick’s Professional Credibility – A Fictitious Story

Sheila, a fast-rising communications officer at a women’s ‘empowerment organisation’ and Fredrick, a disciplined program coordinator at a Youth Leadership and Skills Development agency, first met at a regional leadership training. They had both been invited by an international agency, to facilitate the workshop. Sheila led the high-energy creative sessions while Fredrick handled the structured planning modules. Their differences made teamwork stimulating, thrilling, exhilarating and invigorating; which sprouted a deep relationship as a result. That was how their courtship began.

One afternoon during a tea break, Sheila had mentioned that if Fredrick ever came across a major project that needed communications support, she would be more than ready to participate. The young man smiled and hinted that later in the year, his organisation expected to partner on a prestigious initiative, the Hadassah Woman Beauty Pageant, and that he could explore fitting her in if a communications slot opened. Months later, when the opportunity finally came through, Fredrick gladly recommended Sheila for the role, insisting that her creativity would strengthen their organisation’s visibility.

However, the first shock in their budding relationship came one Thursday evening. Fredrick was busy preparing training reports with his supervisees when Sheila called, voice bursting with excitement. “Babe! You won’t believe it. I’ve just booked tickets for us to Dubai for Michelle’s wedding next weekend! The hotels are also sorted.” The ‘bride-to-be’ was Sheila’s long-term friend from university and not turning up would be next to disaster. An alarmed Fredrick reacted: “Sheila… we didn’t discuss this. I have a field assignment next weekend. You expect me to pay for a trip I didn’t even know about?” Sheila laughed lightly. “Things will sort themselves out.” Thereafter, the man had to face the embarrassment of adjusting work schedules and find money at the last minute.

Two months later, another issue emerged. Sheila excitedly told her Kenyan-based cousin, Asha, who was due to attend a conference in Kampala, that Fredrick would host her in his apartment. The man only learned of the arrangement when Asha called to thank him. And, although the almost-mad Fredrick confronted Sheila; the girl brushed the issue off, saying, “Babe, you have a large place, surely….” But truth be told, he was starting to resent Sheila’s tendency of making decisions that concerned him, without his involvement.

The third incident was the one that shook Fredrick to the core. Their NGO had begun preparing documents for the Hadassah Woman Beauty Pageant; a globally respected pageant sponsored by Christian designers around the world. Because Sheila was the Communications Officer, her signature was required on the joint proposal before submission. Surprisingly, the girl toyed with the decision, since some oh her friends were for it while others had demonised Beauty Pageants. As Fredrick's patience wore thin, reminding Sheila to sign the proposal before the submission deadline, she remained stuck between opinions, until the international organisers closed the submissions portal.

The next morning, the Country Director summoned Fredrick to her office. Her tone was cold and deeply disappointed. “Fredrick, you personally recommended Sheila for this role,” she said sharply. “We had prioritised your recommendation over two other organisations with far more experienced communication teams. Now look! Our proposal was not submitted. Do you realise what this has cost us? The organisers even called last night expressing their surprise. They said our organisation had been one of their strongest contenders for a multi-year media-support partnership. They would have chosen us, if we had submitted on time.” She fixed her fury-filled eyes on the young man. “This was preventable. If it had not been for your recommendation, we would have partnered with someone reliable.” Fredrick left the office feeling humiliated, sick and painfully aware that Sheila’s indecision had damaged not just the organisation but his professional credibility.

That evening, Fredrick sat in his car for a long time, staring at the dashboard. He replayed everything: The impulsive Dubai trip; the promise for accommodation to people he hardly knew; the Hadassah Beauty Pageant Proposal that was never submitted and now the Country Director holding him responsible for Sheila’s failure. The girl’s spontaneity was a hard-set behaviour; one whose consequences were too heavy to build a life on. Much as he still cared for Sheila deeply and admired the spark that had drawn him to her when they first met, he could not marry ‘unpredictability’. He needed a partner who considers consequences, consults and chooses with clarity, before making decisions He could not build a future on uncertainty. With that realisation, he chose to end the relationship.