Moving Up

The downgraded hotel room, then Maya's desk the first Monday back

For two nights they slept in a cramped twin room while the desk untangled the lost booking. On the last morning the system finally found their reservation. But the real surprise waited at home: while Maya was away, her career had quietly taken off.

Two promotions had opened up, both with her name on the shortlist. Even so, a report was due Friday, and a week of emails she hadn't caught up on.

A quiet meeting room with Lena, after a call from a rival firm

Then a rival firm called. They wanted her to take over a new team, and it turned out the offer was serious. To meet the deadline, she'd have to answer by Friday — the very day her own report was due.

Lena: That's huge. But don't let them rush you. Whether it's time to move on, or to step down from the team you built here, sleep on it first.

Lena: Don't decide something this big when you're running on empty. Weigh both offers in the morning.