The meeting went on smoothly. Most of it was spent with Gray familiarizing himself with the team. He learned their names, faces, and how each one fit into their role.
The conversation stayed relaxed throughout, but it was still productive.
By the time they wrapped up, the tension in the room had eased completely. Gray could tell that most of them were eager to do well on their new jobs, especially those who were from the first store.
It's also not just because of their job. It was also because they wanted to prove themselves worthy of the trust Gray and Joel had placed in them.
"Good work, everyone," Gray said before closing his laptop. "Let's keep up this momentum. Opening day's almost there, so make sure your teams are ready."
A chorus of "Yes, Sir" filled the room before people began packing up their bags and laptops. Gray stayed a little longer to chat with a few of them on the way out. He exchanged some small talk and light encouragement before heading for the elevator.
