How to Get Ahead Without Murdering Your Boss

First published in Australia in 2010 by A&A Book Publishing Pty Ltd.

ISBN 978-0-9807399-0-9
This EPUB edition:
ISBN 978-0-9872367-2-2

Copyright Helen Burton, Vicki Webster and Alison Lees 2011

The contents of this book are solely the views and expressions of the author and others that
have expressed their personal view to him. This book is copyright. Apart from any use
permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 and subsequent amendments, no part may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any means or process whatsoever
without the prior written permission of the publishers.
Cover design, illustrations and e-book format by David Andor / Wave Source Design
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A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the National Library of Australia
A&A Book Publishing Pty Ltd
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Table of Contents
Dedication

Introduction
Part One
Walking Close to the Edge A Corporate Murder
Mystery
Meet the characters and their career issues. Five work colleagues are stuck at a corporate
retreat in a cyclone. The CEO disappearshe's had influence on each employee's career. Is he
dead, and if so, who killed him?
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26

Part Two
SEEFAR Career Management Workbook
Use this section to apply the SEEFAR career management methodology to your personal
situation. Complete all or some of the exercises that form part of the SEEFAR career
management methodology. Learn how to review and develop your career to maintain or
improve job satisfaction and employability.
Using SEEFAR
Career Management Strategy One: Self-understanding and Identity
Career Management Strategy Two: External Image
Career Management Strategy Three: Environment
Career Management Strategy Four: Financial Objectives
Career Management Strategy Five: Action and Reflection
Career Management Strategy Six: Results

Part Three
SEEFAR in Action
The SEEFAR career management methodology in action. The characters in Walking Close to
the Edge use the SEEFAR career management methodology to make decisions about their own
careers. Read all or some of the stories.
Character Analysis
Paul Handy
Kylie Humann
Louise Able
Ed Senior
Nathan Clearview
Yasmin Perfect
Clara Cooke
Career Management Resources

Appendix and Resources

Theory and Practice for Career Coaches
About the Authors
This book is dedicated to our patient families, who supported us over the long, long life of this
project, and to all the individuals we have career coached who got us started by asking for a
career book that was contemporary, user friendly, practical and fun.

Introduction

Most of us can think of a time when we experienced strong feelings of dissatisfaction with our
role or work environment, resenting work's influence over our life. Fortunately, we don't need
to resort to murder to attempt to solve the problem! On the other hand, many people can feel
powerless or unmotivated to manage their career and life.
It's our experience that up to ninety percent of people indicate feeling a lack of control over
their careers, yet only five percent feel able or motivated to do something about it. This begs
the question: why?
It could be that it's a lot easier to stay in our comfort zone and not think about it too much.
Maybe we're scared that if we do something, we might fail, or we're not even sure what the
first step is. After all, it's a lot more fun, and a whole lot less confronting, to watch the latest
reality or crime show on TV, enjoy sport, surf the net or even clean out the kitchen cupboards,
rather than explore other work options.
Like anything in life, effectively managing our own career takes some time but not as
much as you might think effort and continuous learning to explore options, identify
opportunities, make decisions and ultimately achieve our desired outcomes.
Personally, we believe in the power of taking responsibility for our own careers, whether that
means keeping a job that we love, making a career change or simply learning new skills to
increase our employability. This is equally important in buoyant markets or in harsh economic
times with large scale job losses. We also believe that career management can be fun!
With this philosophy in mind, read on to learn how easy it is to develop and implement your
own actionable career strategy.

SEEFAR: A quick overview of best practice career

management
SEEFAR is a practical and results-driven process that merges the best features of the
traditional plan-and-implement approach to career development with a new focus on having
our own narrative and using action learning to gain clarity on what the best career
opportunities are for us in order to feel successful and fulfilled.
S = Self-understanding and identity
The first step in an effective career management process is to ensure you have a clear
understanding of yourself and the things that make you who you are the things that drive
you and your motivations and values. Once you understand what makes you happy and
satisfied at work the things that come naturally to you you can build these factors into
your career decision making. For this part of the process, we will ask you to assess your skills,
major competencies, interests, values, personality traits, style and family career history through

assessment instruments and exercises. The assessment activities are amalgamated to develop a
'self-portrait', or identity, that links to possible career options.
E = External image
Once you have a clear understanding of yourself, the next step is to understand how others
perceive you. This is important to ensure the career options you consider are realistic and
inline with your reputation. By examining your external image, you recognise that others often
determine your access to opportunities and your selection for new positions or projects, so it is
essential that you understand what impression you make on other people as this is how you
create your reputation.
E = Environment
Career management needs to be practical to provide meaningful outcomes. Understanding the
marketplace is a vital part of career decision making. Activities in this part of the process assist
you to explore opportunities and build business relationships to access them.
F = Financial objectives
The best career plans can fall apart if they are not aligned to your financial goals. For example,
taking time off work to complete full-time study or taking a reduction in salary to move to a
new department/unit will not be sustainable if it doesn't meet your financial needs. This part of
the process focuses on identifying your financial goals and ensuring compatibility with your
career goals.
A = Action and reflection
The chaotic nature of careers means that opportunities can arise unexpectedly. Without a
robust career management process to assess the viability of each option, you run the risk of
choosing a direction that you may regret. Additionally, the best way to determine whether
something is right of you is to try it out first, especially where you are considering a significant
career transition. This phase facilitates a detailed exploration of options through crafted
experiments, for example secondments and special projects. This action-and-reflection model
is linked to the need to take responsibility for your career direction.
R = Results
"It is a new day." The rules of work have changed, and you are more accountable for your own
career management. All the analysis, reflection and planning will amount to nothing if you
don't take action. A well developed, specific action plan with measurable short-term goals,
mid-term direction and long-term aspirations will enable you to take control of your career,
without having to murder your boss!

The SEEFAR Model

How to apply the SEEFAR model in your career is explained in Parts 2 and 3 of this book.
Now sit back, relax and take some time to enjoy seeing the model in action in the story in Part
1.

The cushions in the lounge shifted slightly and Paul opened one eye. He glanced at the person
creating the disturbance and grunted.
"Sorry about that," said the young man who was even now pushing his back into the wellpadded lounge and joylessly re-arranging a briefcase and papers around him.
Paul nodded and pretended to resume his nap but kept one eye open, watching the
performance unfolding in front of them. His neighbour was a magician the way a series of
briefcases and folders just seemed to multiply and empty into each other until the lounge,
footstool and coffee table in front of them were layered in sheets of impressive looking
documents. Some of them even had flowcharts and graphs. Unable to contain his fascination
any longer Paul sat up slowly, uncrossing his arms and stretching his legs out so that the tops
of his boots could barely be seen under the hem of his heavily worn jeans. He ran his hands
through his curls, shook his head and glanced up at the arrivals and departures information.
"Bugger."
His new companion glanced at him, took one look at the leather bomber jacket and rucksack
and deliberately turned away. Paul ignored this slight. "My flight's another couple of hours
away. How about you mate? Where you off to?"
"Sydney."
The reply was crisp and polite and had "do not disturb" written all over it, but Paul wasn't so
easily put off.

"You coming from New York?"

"Yes." The head was permitted a bob and there was a slight, superficial smile, but the young
man's focus was quickly back to the pages in front of him.
Paul leaned back and put his hands behind his head, staring up at the fluoro lights that were
unrelenting in their starkness. "Yeah, the wife and I are just coming back from the States too.
Interesting place to visit. Wouldn't want to live there. Too many weirdos running around. And
some yanks don't seem to have much of a sense of humour."
"Hmmmmm."
Paul looked around the transit lounge at the other stranded passengers, contorted into various
reclining positions on their seats, struggling to try and get comfortable, like some purgatorial
karma sutra.
He bent forward and took a moment or two to make sure he caught the eye of his neighbour,
who was rapidly regretting his choice of seat. "I thought you business guys did everything on a
computer the size of a matchbox. You know, paperless world and all that." Leaning even
further forward, Paul was making himself impossible to ignore. "Don't get me wrong, I don't
know much about business that's the missus' department. I'm a sparky myself. She's the one
who's written the business book and been on Oprah."
Finally a spark of interest. The well-gelled hair turned towards him. "Your wife has written a
business book?"
Paul nodded. "Yep, that's why we were in the States. A few of those big publishers were
fighting over it and the sequel. Like a pack of buzzards on a carcass they were. Crazy what
money you can get."
Paul had his neighbour's full attention now.
"So it's been published in the U.S?"
"Yeah, and first run has already nearly sold out." Paul sat back, confident he now had
someone to chat to. "Fancy a beer?"
"What?" The young man fumbled. "No Well yes, maybe a soft drink."
"Not if I'm buying mate." Paul signaled to the attendant hovering nearby. "We should get
something for our business lounge membership, shouldn't we?"
The young man nodded assent, looked down at his paperwork, weighed up the next couple of
hours, and shut the lid of his laptop.
Paul noticed. "Good man. Now, what'll you have?"

By the time they were on their second round, Paul had discovered that the young man, David
Young, was a sales executive for a telecommunications company that covered the globe and
that he last had a holiday five years ago. David had finally loosened his tie a little and was
leaning back into the leather cushions like he was carrying the weight of the world on his
shoulders. Paul guessed he was only in his early thirties, but he looked closer to forty. He
waited until David had sipped his way down the third bottle before piecing the facts together.
"So you're a very little fish in a very big pond?"
David opened his mouth to protest and then decided he didn't have the energy to deny the
truth. He stared down the mouth of his bottle. "A very big pond. A global pond. And in New

York they make polite noises about taking Sydney into consideration when they make their
decisions, but it's all, "
He took another gulp. "So the reality is if I want to get ahead I'm going to have to either
move to the US or one of the other overseas offices, or work even more hours in Sydney to get
noticed and, well" he glanced at Paul, "I'm already on tablets for stress and not sleeping and
my girlfriend is complaining that she never sees me. Well, did complain. I think she dumped
me last night." He took another gulp. "By text."
Paul let out a low whistle. "Christ mate you are in a bad way. Sounds like you're better off
without her anyway. Text, eh?" Paul smiled and shook his head. "Hazards of working in
telecommunications."

David started to laugh a bit too loudly. Paul threw him a cautious look. Having a drink was one
thing but he hadn't meant to open a can of worms. He looked around and checked that no one
was staring. "Hey mate, listen. I have a story to tell you that might make you feel better."
David didn't respond. "No, really mate, it's what my wife's book is about." Paul kept talking.
"She's written this self-help book for people just like you."
"What? People who don't have any say in their career decisions and don't have the guts to do
anything about it?" His voice was full of bitterness.
Paul paused and was on the cusp of agreeing and then reconsidered. "No, mate. Just people
who need a push in the right direction, to show them how to take control back."
"What's it called?"
"How to Get Ahead Without Murdering Your Boss." Paul deadpanned.
David rubbed his face before sitting back and taking a long gulp of his beer. He stared at
Paul for a moment. "I think we need another round then." He signaled to the waiter. "With a
whiskey chaser."
Paul thought for a fraction of an instant how much trouble he was already likely to be in,
calculated the risks, and was just about to say no to a drink for the first time in his life when he
glanced up at the departures screen.
He nodded to David. "Right then. You're on."

He settled back into the chair and scratched his chin. "Well, it's probably worth starting with
me," he explained. "The book's got an acronym, you know, a word where every letter
represents a word"
"Yeah, I do know what an acronym is"
"Oh, right. So the theme of the book is SEEFAR. Clever, isn't it?"
David looked unconvinced.
"My wife's point is that after you've read the book you will 'see far', as in you'll be clearer on
where you're heading. Anyway," he hurried on, "S stands for Self understanding and Identity.
It's about how you see yourself. See, I'm the kind of person who's pretty happy with their lot in
life. I'll never be the sharpest tool in the shed, or the richest man I know, but that's just fine
with me. I'm pretty contented, which apparently makes me almost unique.
There's a lot of people out there who don't really know who they are their strengths,
weaknesses, and how to use them to get what they want in life. I wonder about that. How can
you be true to yourself, if you don't know what's important to you in life?"
"Tell me about it!"
Paul shook his head. "Me, I've got my own little handyman business. Do a few odd jobs, can
turn my hand to most things but I know my limits. It's a pretty good little business and I enjoy
what I do. You got me?"
David nodded. He was staring over Paul's shoulder at the wall. "Sorry, I was just thinking of
something my boss said to me a couple of weeks ago. About how he didn't feel as if he could
recommend me for certain projects because he wasn't sure what I could do. I didn't," David
was finding this difficult to say, "stand out enough. I faded into the background."
He sighed and looked directly at Paul. "I'm invisible. I'm working my guts out for this
company and I'm invisible."
"Well that's not good mate, but I think that we're getting into the second letter, E. You need
to have SELF UNDERSTANDING but then the next step is your EXTERNAL IMAGE. How
others see you. For me, I've never had to advertise. Got all my jobs through word-of-mouth
because I never take on anything I can't do bloody well and I always do my best."
David's eyes were starting to glaze a little.
Before he could lose him, Paul continued, "I tell you what, mate. Let me tell you a story that
will make the whole thing clear. About how I met my wife. About how we spent a weekend
trapped on an island with a murderer."
He had David's full attention now. Paul sat back and drained his glass. "So, as I was saying,
let's start with me." He pointed to his glass and caught the waiter's eye. "I was on this ferry off
the coast of north Queensland, near Cairns."

"Choppy enough for you?"

Paul shifted his eyes from the dark seas that were pounding the side of the ferry and turned
his attention to the captain.
He nodded. "Looks like it'll be your last trip of the day."
"Haven't I seen you around town?" The captain joined Paul near the bow and gazed out to the
horizon.
"Yeah I do some work for Bob Sandbourne in Cairns every now and again, fixing bits and
pieces. But I haven't been out this way before."
"You chose a hell of a day to have a look."
"Me and a few other fools," said Paul nodding to the handful of passengers inside.
The captain followed his glance through the glassed-in cabin to the passengers sitting in
various stages of discomfort on the benches. "They don't look like they've done a real day's
work amongst them."
"No but I bet they earn a hell of a lot more than we do, mate," said Paul with a wry smile.
"Yes you can be sure of that, but then who'd want to be shut up in an office on a day like
today?" The captain turned back to the railing and looked out into the purple skies and
churning green of the sea. "I wouldn't trade this for quids, would you?"
"No I reckon you're right mate. But it looks like today could test your mettle." Paul looked
up at the threatening sky. "What's the story with the cyclone?"
"Oh they reckon its changed course and is heading out to the Pacific. Someone will get some
trouble but not us."
"Don't speak too soon. Someone's not too happy with you I think," Paul looked pointedly
over the captain's shoulder as a red-faced bull of a man stormed towards them.

"Are you the captain of this vessel?" The question was fired at the captain by someone who
was used to asking questions and giving orders.
"Yes sir I am," the captain stood to attention.
"Well I'm not happy with this rough passage. Some of my team are turning green. Can't you
do anything about it?"
The captain kept a straight face. "Well sir there is a cyclone about."
"Yes I know I know, but can't you steer in calmer waters?"
The pause before the captain's answer was just a fraction too long to be respectful.
"Not if there aren't any calm waters to be had sir."

The passenger looked thrown for a moment, but he recovered in a second and tried a
different tack. "Perhaps you don't know who I am. Arnold Strong. CEO of Medivalue
Incorporated."
The captain and Paul stared back blankly.
"The fastest growing medical research company in the southern hemisphere," growled the
explanation.
"Sorry sir, I've never heard of it. But I can assure you that I have a perfect safety record and
even though the trip may not be as smooth as you would like, I will get you to your destination
safely." The captain stood firmly and met Arnold Strong's gaze.
Arnold finally looked away briefly. "Well I'm not happy. Perhaps if you were steering the
boat instead of gossiping with the crew we might get somewhere," glancing at Paul and
evaluating him in an instant.
Paul leaned back against the rail with his arms crossed.
"Don't let my lack of a suit and tie fool you mate. I'm not help. I don't work for anyone
except myself."
"Really Well," for an instant Strong looked unsure of himself, "Just see to it will you?"
With that he turned and stalked away. The boat pitched at that moment and he stumbled and
was forced to grab for the rail before disappearing inside.
Paul grinned. "Always amazes me when someone says the biggest or best in the southern
hemisphere. What's the bloody competition? South Africa? Tonga?"
The captain smiled and, shaking his head, turned and ducked into the wheelhouse.

As the boat continued to pitch dramatically Paul turned his attention to the other passengers in
the cabin, keen to see who was turning green.
A tall man with trendy glasses sat in the corner, trying to ignore the movement of the boat
and balancing a laptop on his knees. He didn't look like he spent much time out of doors. Paul
dismissed him as a lightweight and turned his attention elsewhere. An attractive blonde woman
was trying to read a romance novel but was struggling to concentrate. She looked like her hair
colour and her tan came out of a bottle. Arnold Strong had spread his legs across the benches
and was trying to catch her eye. The cabin door opened and a dark-haired woman in her thirties
went to the rail with a handkerchief to her mouth. Paul imagined she was trying to avoid
vomiting on what looked to be a very expensive suit. She was soon joined at the rail by a white
haired gentleman who looked as if he had been a fit young man but one too many business
lunches had taken their toll. He was having trouble with his sea-legs but was striving to hang
on to his dignity. He tried to have a conversation with the brunette but she shook her head and
waved him away. He looked angry at being dismissed and stalked off towards the stern. He
looks a bit like my dad thought Paul as he turned back to the boat's bow, more interested in
studying the coastline than the passengers.

The peninsula was coming into view and Paul wondered again why he had agreed to come so
far out of his way and on a weekend. He was making a good living contracting out as a
handyman after a hard two year slog and he could afford to say no to jobs now. Perhaps it was
the female voice on the other end of the phone earlier in the day which had sounded so
intriguing.
"Hello is this Sandy's Handyman services?"
"Yes it is." Paul was sifting paperwork on his desk and was distracted by the piles slipping
off the edge and into the wastepaper basket.
"I am calling from The Edge resort on the Briney Peninsula, do you know it?"
"Yes vaguely. What's wrong?"
"Well we have a number of jobs that need doing but the main one is the generator and, as
there is a cyclone about," she paused, "well it's quite urgent. I usually ask Mr Sandbourne but
he's away at present." Her voice trailed off.
She sounded like she was in her mid thirties and not used to asking for help.
"Yeah Sandy does like to go walkabout from time to time."
Silence.
"Well, can you help us Mr?"
"Call me Paul."
There was something heartfelt about her plea. He found himself considering the cost of
getting to the resort and whether he could juggle a dozen other jobs that were planned for the
following week.
"So how much time do you think it would take?"
"A day or two."
"But today's Friday," he said, stating the obvious and frowning at the thought of missing his
regular Saturday game of footie. Paul peered out the window at the sky. It didn't look like the
game would be on anyway and he was curious about this fancy resort.
"Yes it is."
Her voice cut through his thoughts. And he looked at the mounting pile of paperwork and
considered the prospect of spending a weekend away from it with a desperate young woman.
He could see himself as the knight in shining armour.
"If I were to get there this afternoon do you have a bed I could use for the night?"
He could hear a sigh of relief on the other end of the line.
"Yes of course. You'll have to catch the ferry. There's a road but with the rain it's been
washed out and I don't expect the council to repair it until next week sometime. Is that okay?"
She rushed on, not letting him say no. "There's a group coming for the weekend. I tried to put
them off because of the cyclone but they insisted. The ferry's at 4 o'clock. So I'll expect you'll

meet them then. There's five of them. There won't be any other guests, they've all cancelled of
course."
She paused.
"Is all of that okay?"
"Yep no worries luv. Tell the boss I'll come this afternoon."
"I am the boss," she fairly bristled. "The Edge is my business."
"Yeah okay keep your hair on. I didn't mean to offend." He had heard that the new retreat
was run by a woman. She sounded like she could hold her own and he was intrigued.
She continued in a business-like manner, her moment of vulnerability gone. "See you this
afternoon then. I'll meet the ferry."
"Cheers love." Paul hung up slowly and turned from his desk to look out the window. His
house sat on the cliff above the town from where he commanded a great view of the ocean.
Thick black storm clouds were hanging over the coast and the seas looked rough. It was going
to be a bumpy trip.

His thoughts were dragged back to the present when the ferry's tone changed from a roar to a
steady hum and was starting to nose closer to the shore. A pleasant white wooden jetty with a
small mini bus parked alongside it was the only hint that they weren't being dropped off at the
edge of the world. A small natural harbour meant that the ferry could easily dock, deposit
passengers and return to Cairns in under thirty minutes. The captain was obviously used to the
run and under his expert hand the ferry docked successfully despite the rough seas. Everyone
looked grateful to hear the engines reduce to a low rumble and the Medivalue team stretched
and started to gather their things. Paul noticed that Arnold Strong grabbed his briefcase and
shouldered past the others to make sure he was first down the gangplank. Paul descended last
after slinging his backpack over a shoulder and grabbing a large, heavy toolbox. He turned and
waved to the captain who was already untying the boat and hurrying to head back. He saluted
smartly in response and with a "good luck" went back into the wheelhouse.
Waiting at the bottom of the ramp was a fit-looking woman in her mid thirties with long hair
tied back under a baseball cap. "Welcome to the Edge." The voice was light and cheerful. In a
no-nonsense chambray shirt, khaki shorts and boots she looked like she could handle most
things. Except perhaps Arnold Strong.
"Are you the owner?"
"Yes I am Louise Able. You must be Mr Strong." She extended a hand which was ignored.
"Well are you the entire welcoming party or is there someone to help us with our bags?"
"Yes to both questions Mr Strong. I am your host for this weekend, you are the only guests,
and yes I will now help you with the bags. I am sure you gentlemen won't mind helping the
ladies."
She bent forward and picked up both the women's bags with ease and headed towards the
van. The young man with the laptop and the white-haired man quickly followed suit, picking
up their own cases and following the women.
"Huh," Arnold Strong was not used to carrying his own bag and looked around.

"Don't look at me mate." Paul picked up his toolbox and followed the others, enjoying
Strong's blustering and panting behind him.

Louise Able or Lou, as she asked everyone to call her kept up a running commentary on
the drive along the shoreline and then through the rainforest as they moved inland. She spoke
about the plants, birds and animals they might be lucky enough to see on the weekend. The
Medivalue team's attitude failed to match her enthusiasm. Arnold seemed particularly
unimpressed with the vegetation passing by the bus window. He had been quiet for a few
minutes but couldn't help interrupting her narrative.
"I hear you get a good swell around here. Great for windsurfing."
"That we do Mr Strong," said Lou, flashing him a quick smile. "But with the weather such as
it is I wouldn't be recommending it. Cyclone Bertha is supposed to be moving away from the
coast but you never can tell up here. Far north Queensland is a funny place. I've lived here
most of my life and I've seen some strange things happen."
"A bit of rough water won't worry me. I've been involved in extreme sports all my life.
Surfed all over the world." Arnold looked around the mini bus to make sure that everyone was
suitably impressed.
Paul noticed the blonde woman look at Strong with concern as if she wanted to say
something. Strong smiled at her and winked. She shot him quick smile and then smoothed
down a skirt which barely skimmed her knees. "Well, well, well," thought Paul, "perhaps
Strong might be thinking about more than one kind of recreation this weekend."

"I don't seem to be getting any mobile phone reception here." The younger man had taken off
his suit coat but had obviously not relaxed out of work mode just yet.
"Yes Mr?
"Nathan Clearview."
"Yes Mr Clearview I am afraid that the communications tower on the mainland is not very
reliable. One of the struggles we have being out in the regions it's not profitable for a
telecommunciations company to actually provide us with a service. I have a two-way radio for
emergencies. The reception should improve when we get to the Edge."
Clearview snapped his phone shut, tucked his hands under his armpits and stared out of the
bus window.
"Don't worry Clearview, the wife can last for two whole days without hearing your dulcet
tones." Arnold smirked and Nathan shot him a look of pure venom.
"Wanting to maintain contact with my wife when she is seven months pregnant is not an
unreasonable request Arnold."
"Oh no," Arnold laughed, "easy to see who's tied to the apron strings."
Nathan ignored the comment and continued to stare out of the window. Arnold chuckled;
obviously pleased his barb had hit the mark.

Paul sat back even further and smiled. He hadn't seen this much drama since his last
girlfriend had got him hooked watching the "Bold and the Beautiful". And he was getting paid.
This was better than cable TV.

The brunette in the suit had seemed to perk up since getting off the boat.
"Excuse me Lou. I'm Kylie, Kylie Humann the HR Manager at Medivalue. Did you say 'on
the mainland'? I thought we were on the mainland."
"Yes well spotted Ms Humann," said Lou, talking over her shoulder. "We tend to think of
ourselves as an island here because we get cut off so often with bad weather, or a possum
chews through the wires or we get a landslide and the road gets blocked. We have to be pretty
self sufficient."
"I see." Kylie started to chew her lip.
"What's wrong with you Kylie my girl, worried you might break a nail and not have
anywhere to get it repaired?" Arnold turned around in his seat and leered at her.
Kylie, clearly offended at the "girl" nonetheless replied politely. "No Arnold, I was just
curious about how we might manage if there was a cyclone. I did tell you that I thought it was
a bad idea to continue with this strategic planning weekend with the weather looking this
way."
"That's why I insisted we still come out here this weekend. Teach you office wimps a thing
or two about real life if you have to battle the elements." Arnold searched for validation. "Isn't
that right?" He turned to Paul. "You look like a man who can look after himself."
Paul turned slowly to face Strong. "Actually I got to be this old and this ugly by not putting
myself in dangerous situations. Me, I'd rather be home right now with my feet up drinking a
stubbie and watching the footie. But then I don't have anything to prove."
Kylie flashed him a quick smile and Arnold's face froze. Before he had a chance to respond,
Lou threw Paul a dirty look in the rearview mirror and said loudly, "We're here."

The bus pulled up in front of a rustic lodge, with several cabins and outbuildings clustered on a
gently sloping ridge under a low sandstone cliff. The main building's stone and timber
construction with wide verandahs was a cross between typical Queensland architecture and a
North American hunting lodge. In front of the main building a lawn stretched for 500 metres
before disappearing over the edge. As the passengers got out of the minivan they could hear
the sound of the surf pounding on the rocks below.
"Excuse me. How far down is it to the beach?" The older man finally spoke. He had
obviously only just recovered from the ferry and was grateful to be standing on his own two
feet.
"About 50 metres straight down, but there's a path with a railing to guide you down if you
want to go for a walk. Let's get you all inside and then to your cabins it looks like it's about
to pour." Lou grabbed a couple of bags and headed inside just as penny-sized drops thudded
onto the stone path.
By the time they were all inside, it had turned as dark as night outside and the wind had
started to pick up.
"It doesn't look like we are going to get much of a sunset tonight folks, I'm sorry. Usually it's
beautiful." Lou positioned herself behind the reception counter.
"I'd just like a shower and a hot meal thanks," said Kylie. "I don't need a sunset."
"Me too," echoed the young blonde. Her hair had been blown about by the wind and her
make-up had seen better days.
Lou sensed she didn't often travel far without the benefit of a make-up mirror and a
hairdryer. She started with her. "I'm sorry I didn't get your name."
"Yasmin Yasmin Perfect."
"Yes Ms Perfect, you're in "Rainbow Lorikeet" and here's your key."
Lou caught her puzzled look. "All of our cabins are named after wildlife to be found on the
property. Here's a map. Your cabin is here." Lou circled with highlighter. Yasmin made eye
contact with Strong and repeated, "I'm in Lorikeet." Paul, standing back from the group,
observed her quick glance. He smiled.
Yasmin picked up her bag and looked lost.
"There are umbrellas just there in the hallstand or if you would like to wait I'll walk with you
to your cabin," said Lou.
Yasmin stuck out her chin. "I'll find my way thanks." She shouldered her bag and headed out
the door with her map in hand.
Lou continued to efficiently assign cabins and give out maps and keys. As she gave a key to
Kylie she asked, "I believe that you have your own programme this weekend but you have
given me the times for meals?"

"Yes that's right. I'd like to also look at the seminar room so I can set up ready for the
morning."
"Of course, I'll just make sure everyone is settled and then I'll come and get you and show
you around if you like?"
"Yes thank you." Kylie grabbed the long handle of her bag and started to wheel it towards
the door.
"Well dinner is at 7pm in the dining room marked on the map. It's just the second door here
on the right. If you would like a drink beforehand, the bar will be open from six."

"Wait a minute. Let me guess." The tie had been gradually loosened until it was now sticking
out of his top pocket. The alcohol was kicking in and he was starting to relax. "I think I know
where you are headed with the external."
"External image," offered Paul.
"Yes. Its Arnold, isn't it? The CEO? He thinks he's a ladies' man, bit of a player, envied by
the boys and irresistible to the girls," David said. "But really everyone hates his guts." He sat
back looking satisfied. "And he's the one who gets murdered."
"You'd think so, wouldn't you?" Paul smiled. "We'll see. But you're right about his self image
being the complete opposite of his External image. Not congruent, as my missus would say."
"So, if someone wanted to find out how they were perceived, how" David looked at Paul,
leaving the question unasked.
"How would they go about it? Well there are these exercises in the book, but basically you
have the guts to start asking a few trusted people, what others really think of you. So choosing
the right people's important. Don't choose someone who's going to tread too softly, but don't
ask some smart aleck who's going to put the boot in either."
David was rubbing his chin and frowning.
"You look like you might have someone in mind already,"
said Paul.
"Yeah, I think I might." David suddenly stretched and looked around. "So far so good."
"Well don't get too cocky mate, there's a few stages yet to go." Paul cocked an eyebrow.
"Like you haven't heard the best bit about how I win the heart of the girl with my good looks
and charm." Paul winked.
David groaned. "What were you saying about how we think we are perceived versus the
reality?"
"Yeah, yeah, alright. I'll let you judge for yourself."

Summary
Self-understanding and identity
To clarify your understanding of your identity you will need to consider:

Your current level of job satisfaction,

How employable you are if you couldn't continue in your current role,

The impact of partner and family on your career options,

Your values,

Your work and personality preferences,

Your skills,

Your interests.

External image
To clarify how others perceive you, you will need to explore:

How you are perceived by your boss, colleagues and/or customers,

What mechanisms you have in place to obtain feedback from others on how they view you.
What strengths and weaknesses would they identify?

How well networked you are,

What your reputation is in your occupational group, your industry and your geographic
marketplace,

In short, who do you know and what would they say about you?

Lou continued to hand out keys and assign cabins. Within a few minutes everyone had
dispersed. She was aware that Paul had been leaning up against a wall, arms folded. "Are you
ready for me?" he asked.
"Yes I am so sorry Mr..." Lou moved forward and extended her hand. "Thank you for your
patience."
"Handy," Paul took the hand and shook it firmly. "No worries. And it's Paul by the way.
They look like they might keep you busy this weekend." He nodded at the retreating backs of
the Medivalue team.
"Yes," she smiled, "but then that's what they pay me for."
"And they pay well from the looks of this place. It's pretty flash." His admiring gaze took in
the liberal use of wood, stone and plush fabrics. "This is a beautiful place."
"Thank you. It was hard work getting it built but every day I wake up and look out at the
view I realize it was worth it." She shook her head slowly. "Even when there are problems, and
even though I still have to answer to my investors." Her gaze took in the vista outside the floor
to ceiling glass walls.
"What problems do you have?"
"Well getting and keeping staff up here is a problem. I'm afraid I'm doing the work of three
people this weekend. And so is getting tradesmen to come all the way out here so I appreciate
you coming." She looked him up and down and liked what she saw.
He was a bit rough around the edges but with a look in his eyes that somehow put her off
balance. She wasn't used to being confused by people. She prided herself on being able to read
them pretty well.
Lou realized she had been staring with a stupid smile on her face. She became brisk. "Well,
before I start looking after my other guests, let me give you the keys to your cabin and show
you the major issues and then perhaps you could give me an estimate of what you think it will
take. Would you like an umbrella?"
"Nah a little water never hurt anyone. I've got a jacket in my pack if I need it."
Lou grabbed a large yellow rainparka from the row of hooks near the door and led him back
out into the rain. She escorted him to his cabin which, like the others, was surrounded and
partially hidden by thick bush.
"Ring-tailed Possum?" smiled Paul, looking at the name on his cabin.
"Well the Japanese tourists like it," said Lou as she unlocked the door and led him inside.
"I'm sure they do," said Paul as he dumped his knapsack on the plush king-sized bed and
looked at the rest of the luxurious interior.
"You can't see any of the other cabins from here?"
"No you can't see anything from any of the cabins, except the view. It was designed that
way" said Lou, pulling back the curtains.

"A good place for honeymooners then." Paul stood next to her and peered out the windows.
"Got any binoculars?" he raised an eyebrow at her.
"No I don't. And yes we do get a lot of honeymooners." It was a strange comment for a man
to make. Lou was tempted to ask him if he had any plans and couldn't help noticing he had no
wedding ring. She also noticed his wide shoulders, strong forearms and comfortable-fitting
jeans.
He caught her looking at him and smiled.
"Right Mr, sorry Paul," Lou became business-like, "I'll take you on a tour and show you
what needs to be fixed."

Half an hour later Paul strolled back to his cabin to grab his toolbox and get started. The
smaller problems were okay but the generator looked a little nasty. He dug out a jacket from
his pack, turned up the collar and dashed through the rain. It was coming down hard now and if
he had correctly assessed what he had seen then he needed to work quickly or they might have
a very dark and cold weekend.

On her way back to reception Lou noticed a figure outside in the rain, heading for the cliff.
Peering into the gathering dark she recognised Arnold Strong striding towards the cliff.
Surveying his territory. No umbrella for him. Man against the elements obviously. She
wondered if she should go after him and warn him against straying too far from the lodge in
the fading light. She was still weighing up the pros and cons of Strong's safety versus risking
his patronizing manner when her thoughts were interrupted by a muffled crash from the
kitchen. Cursing her absent staff, she set off to investigate.

The well-built lodge was a haven against the howling winds that were becoming more
threatening, and by cocktail hour most of the guests had already gravitated to its solid walls.
Paul arrived at the door to the bar, shaking out the water from his jacket. The older man was
sitting drinking by himself near the fireplace. By the windows Nathan was speaking to Kylie,
his manner suggesting it was a life or death issue. Yasmin was looking bored and flipping
through some magazines in the corner. Paul strolled over to the bar. Lou had changed into a
black dress, swept up her hair and was serving behind the bar.
"You clean up well."
Lou looked at him. "Gee thanks. I feel so good about myself now."
"Can't take a compliment."
"Is that what that was? You need to come with instructions."
"Oh I'm not that hard to work out. Cascade Light thanks luv," said Paul, making himself at
home on one of the bar stools. After the first sip he turned and surveyed the room.
"Well well well, here we all are drinking on the company tab." Arnold strode in and filled the
room.
He went to the bar and sat on the stool next to Paul. "Do you have any wine worth drinking
in this place?" he asked Lou.
"I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with what's available, sir," said Lou, handing him a
wine list.
After a few minutes careful consideration, "Hmmm, well I guess this will have to do. Open a
bottle of the Hardy's cab sav and just put it on the account."
Lou poured him a generous glass before disappearing towards the kitchen.
Paul took another sip of his beer and casually picked up the wine list. Arnold had chosen the
most expensive bottle. Paul knew a little about wines, his father had been manager on a
vineyard, and he knew enough to know that Arnold had chosen the most expensive wine, not
the best, or the most appropriate.

Lou came back into the lounge. "Dinner is served, if you would like to follow me, please." She
turned into the dining room. The guests got to their feet and followed her. Kylie spotted Paul
and zeroed in on him. "Paul is it? Why don't you join us?" She smiled like a cat that got the
cream but that reminded him of a mean old cat his mother once owned. He was a dog person
himself. Kylie tossed her hair and took his arm. "Tell me all about yourself."
"Well that will take care of the first two minutes of dinner table conversation," said Paul.
Kylie laughed a little too loudly as she lead him away.
"Well I wouldn't want to have to go through many of those dinners again," Paul said. "I'm
actually kind of glad that the power went off. Any more business bullshit and I would've

started throwing the cutlery. Can you hold the torch a little higher?" Paul wiped a greasy hand
across his forehead as he squinted at the ailing generator.
Lou adjusted her grip. "Hmmm. That's just what I need a roomful of pissed off and pissed
high paying executives staying at a resort with no power. I'm just glad the power didn't go out
until everyone had at least been served their desserts." The door banged shut. "Jeepers! And I
just heard on the radio that the cyclone's changed course again." Paul paused and looked at her.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah," she sighed. "Not my weekend."
"Yeah well I'm sorry but this doesn't look good. I'm going to be able to keep this going for
the moment but I don't know how long it'll last. I need to get some parts. I'll go back to town in
the morning and see what I can get."
"You might not be able to get back. The road's out and the ferry's not due until Sunday
afternoon."
"Better get busy distributing some candles then. At least with the candlelight it might turn
into a romantic weekend."
Lou laughed. "I think there's more office politics than romance going on in that group
somehow."
"Oh I don't know." Paul sat back on his heels and gave the side of the generator a thump with
the flat of his hand. "I think Mr Strong is expecting some romantic entanglements this
weekend. He and his PA seem very cosy. More light over here please."
Lou leant over Paul holding the torch steady. "Yes I noticed that. But I also noticed that he
took a long call from his wife during dinner."
"Well remind me never to try and fool you. You are far too clever." He got to his feet slowly
and winced as he rubbed a knee. "Ready to go."
Lou snapped off the torch as the light came on in the shed. She opened the door and it blew
shut. "It's getting bad out there. I need to go around and check that everything's tied down."
"Need a hand? You don't look like you're dressed for tramping through the rainforest." He
looked at her black slip of a dress covered by an over-large yellow raincoat.
She shook out the raincoat a little and scattered drops on the floor. "I sure could. Thanks."
Paul got ready to open the door and make a run for the lodge. "Do your guests need to be
told?"
"Let's tell them the cyclone's coming but not about the power situation."
"Sure thing. I don't think that will be difficult anyway. When we left it looked like they were
all going to have a very long and drunken night."

Paul gasped as Lou opened the door and the wind blew away his words. She wrapped her
raincoat and pulled the hood over her head and they hurried towards the lodge. Circling the
building Paul and Lou locked doors, shut windows and put away tools lying around. They
grabbed all of the spare torches they could find and made for the kitchen door.
Pausing behind the kitchen out of the wind, Lou yelled, "I need to go in and let the chef
know what's going on and give out some more candles and torches."

"I'll go around and check all the cabins if you like."

"Thank you." Lou flashed him a quick smile which warmed him despite the cold and then
she was gone.

Paul pulled his Drizabone tighter and headed towards the nearest cabin. It was difficult terrain
to traverse in the dark, and he stumbled from time to time. Everything seemed secure, and he
was heading towards the last cabin, when he saw a flash and realized that someone was
sheltering beneath the verandah. The flash of light was followed by a hiss and a yell. Paul was
tempted to remain in the dark and sneak past but with the cyclone coming he thought he should
at least warn whoever it was to get inside.

He turned up the path to the cabin and hurried to the verandah. As he got closer, he heard
angry voices and then Nathan Clearview pushed past him, muttering under his breath, "Out of
my way."
"Hey, watch it mate."
Arnold Strong appeared and shouted above the rain. "And don't you forget it Clearview. You
think you're next in line you've got no chance. Backstabbing bastard." Strong peered into the
storm. "Who's that?"
"It's Paul," he said, joining him on the verandah. "What was that all about?"
"Oh just the usual vultures circling," Strong replied, heading back inside. Paul followed him,
shaking out his coat. "Everyone in the company thinks I'm about to retire or die and wants to
get in on the act. I can't trust any of them."
Paul noticed a nearly empty bottle of scotch on the sideboard and suspected Strong was
settling in for a long night and wanted some company.
Strong went over to the mini bar. "You run your own business, right?"
"Yes in a manner of speaking. I'm a contractor." Paul shut the door against the wind and
leaned against it.
"You have plans to grow the business? Want to be a wealthy man?"
"No I'm pretty keen to avoid all of that actually. Just me on my own is fine. Too much
paperwork as it is."
Arnold Strong poured himself a drink. "Want a touch?"
Paul shook his head. "No thanks mate, I'd better keep my wits about me with this cyclone
about. I might need to do some more repairs."
Strong sank into an armchair. "So just you, eh? Take my advice and keep it that way. Then
you won't have any employees snapping at your heels. I've been in business for over thirty
years. I've owned every kind of business, sold real estate, worked in banking hell I even had
a restaurant for a while and the staff have always been the biggest headache."

"Yeah well, nothing's stopping you leaving is there?"

"What and give them the satisfaction of replacing me just when the company's about to go
global?"
"Yeah?" Paul tried to appear interested but edged closer to the door.
"We're just about to sign a lucrative deal with a Chinese manufacturer. I am about to become
a very rich man and I'm not going to let a bunch of bloodsuckers take it away from me."
Paul held up his hands in mock defence.
"Okay, mate, whatever you reckon. Look, I'm just going around trying to warn people that
the cyclone's changed course and is heading back this way. You might want to think of joining
us back in the lodge. It's the strongest building."
"What? Nonsense. Cyclones never hit here. Besides, I can look after myself. I'll grab a
couple more bottles and settle in here for the night."
"Suit yourself. I'll"
There was a knocking at the door.
Paul leaned over and opened the door.
"Arnold I was worried," Yasmin Perfect rushed in with the wind, chattering and soaked
through.
She saw Paul and her manner changed. "Arnold, we were worried, I was just coming to, to
see if you wanted to join us in the lodge."
Arnold smiled. "Well that's very considerate darling. Paul here was also very concerned for
my welfare. Seems I'm very popular tonight."
"Well I'll leave you to it then," Paul smirked as he closed the door behind him.
He pulled his collar higher and headed back to the lodge.

Back in the kitchen, Lou was organizing supplies with the chef. "Thanks so much for a
wonderful dinner, Clara. It must have been difficult with the power going on and off."
Clara lifted a box effortlessly with her muscular arms. "Yes, well I'm used to rough cooking.
Ten years in a top Sydney restaurant, it can get cutthroat. I'd much rather handle a few power
shortages than the knife-throwing histrionics of your average big city chef."
"So you're glad you made the sea-change?" Lou handed her a crate of water.
Clara shouldered it and placed it on the shelf above her head. "No need to ask Lou. Here I
can step outside and see the trees. I can breathe. Money's not everything."
Lou stood with her hands on her hips in mock anger. "Was that a crack about the salary?"
"No but if you ever do hit the big time remember the little people who helped you get there!"
Lou grinned. "Absolutely!" She paused and surveyed the storeroom. "So you think we have
enough here to feed these people if we get stuck here?"
"For a month if we need to, but I'd hate to think that we have this bunch here for that long."
Clara rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "Of course if we have to resort to eating each other,
as the only qualified chef I get to choose who goes first."
"Yeah who would your choice be?"
Clara nodded towards the corridor behind Lou. "Well here's someone who would be near the
top of the list."

"Lou? I'm sorry to interrupt you." Kylie tapped on the kitchen door.
"Don't worry Ms Humann, we're just getting supplies together in case the cyclone does hit
us." Lou wiped her hands on a towel and smiled. "How can I help you?"
"Well I was just checking to see if there was any way to use a phone? The phone in my cabin
doesn't seem to be working."
"Yes of course, let's try the one in the office. It might be just your phone as the main line was
working earlier this evening."
"Clara can you finish here while I look after Ms Humann?" asked Lou.
Clara nodded. "No problem. This won't take long and then I'm off to bed."
Lou led Kylie down the corridor and turned into the office.
"Just through here Ms Humann."
"Kylie please."
"Kylie." Lou picked up the phone. "We're in luck. There's still a dial tone," she handed over
the receiver. "I'll leave you to your call."

As she left Lou wondered who she was calling at 11pm on a Friday night. She was tempted
to stay and put her ear to the door but that would hardly be ethical. Tearing herself away she
headed towards the bar to see what the rest of her guests were up to.

The glow of the fireplace failed to lighten the mood of the current occupants in the lounge. Ed
Senior was propped up at the bar, drooping into his scotch and Nathan Clearview was sitting
near the fire looking very depressed and holding tight to a bottle. The CEO and his PA were
noticeably absent.
Lou took another look at the morose Nathan and decided he was beyond her powers of
hospitality.
"Mr Senior, I'm probably going to have to close the bar soon." Lou went behind the bar and
started to wipe down the counter.
"Ed please."
"Ed." Lou stopped her cleaning and looked at him with some sympathy. "How about a
nightcap before turning in?"
"Oh of course of course, we need to get our beauty sleep, don't we? This is a lovely place,
reminds me of a resort I visited with my wife in Jakarta many years ago."
Ed rambled on. Lou tuned out, nodding and smiling while she watched Nathan Clearview in
the corner. Kylie suddenly appeared at the door, looked about, saw Nathan, and joined him at
the fireplace. She was very animated about whatever news she was sharing and he listened
intently, nodding. Kylie looked up and saw Lou watching them and smiled briefly, whispered
to Nathan and then stood up and came to the bar.
"Can I get you something Kylie?" asked Lou.
"No thanks, I'd rather stay fresh for tomorrow. We have a lot to get through." She looked
pointedly at Ed, who was suddenly engrossed in his drink.
"Well good night then."
"Good night."

"And I'll need to say good night to you too Ed as I have a lot to tend to with the weather." Lou
started to put the bottles away in the drinks cabinet.
"Yes of course dear. Good night." Ed didn't move.
Nathan stood up and swayed a little. He clutched at the mantle piece.
"Are you okay Mr Clearview?"
He grunted and nodded. He said a curt good night and staggered out of the door.
Lou turned to leave.
"You must think us a strange bunch do you Miss" Ed was focusing on her now, rather than
the contents of his glass.
"Lou please."
"We aren't all as we appear."

"How so Ed?" Lou leaned back towards the bar, trying to work out an escape route.
"Well I wasn't always like this washed up." He paused and looked back down at his drink.
"I'm getting the flick soon you know."
"Really? How do you know?"
"I overheard Arnold on the phone before we left. I don't know why he bothered to bring me
on this retreat. Some perverse pleasure. That man's mind is so twisted you could spend an
eternity trying to decipher his motives.
"But I don't fit anymore you see. Twenty, even ten years ago, I could still charge into new
markets and sign up more customers than they could supply, but not now. Everything seems to
have changed. The way you do business. There doesn't seem to be time for an old man like
me." He lowered his voice as if in confession. "I don't feel comfortable using a mobile phone
you know. Fifteen years ago no one did but now you are considered strange if you say you
don't want to be contacted after hours and if you don't spend all of your time checking emails."
"You don't?"
"No I don't own a laptop either. There's one for me at the office of course but I've always
preferred actually speaking to people, getting to know them, you know?"
"Yes. That's not a talent many people have. It's a gift."
"You are kind to say so but no, it's a skill that they don't seem to care about these days. I
helped them build up this company through my own sweat and blood. Spent months away
from my family. My wife died last year, my children don't speak to me and what have I got to
show for twenty-five years dedicated service? A bunch of ungrateful teenagers taking over the
company and sacking me."
Ed shook his head and his shoulders started to heave. Lou was afraid he was going to cry.
She could hear the bitterness in his voice. He reminded her of her own father who spent most
of his life tied to the office and then suddenly dropped dead only two years into retirement. She
suddenly felt sorry for Ed. "Would you like another before I put the bottle away?"
"Why not? Strong's paying for it." He tried to smile but failed. Lou could see how deeply
unhappy he was.
Lou poured him a generous measure and then quietly put away the bottle and locked the
drinks cabinet.
"Well I need to turn in. Good night Ed."
"Eh? Yes goodnight."

As Lou left the room, she crashed into Paul as he came around the corner.
"Whoa, that was good timing. You off to bed now?" He hadn't taken off his jacket and she
could feel that he was soaked through.
Lou disentangled herself from his arms. "Yes I am. Is everything all right outside?"
"Yes all ship shape and honkey dorey."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."

They stood staring at each other for a few seconds. Lou broke first. "You should really get
changed out of those wet things."
Paul leaned towards her. "Is that a proposition Ms Able?"
She took a step back. "I am concerned about the health of all of my guests Mr Handy."
"Damn. And here I thought I was special." Paul pretended to be hurt. He sighed. "I guess I'll
get over it."
Lou smiled, "I have no doubt you will. Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
Paul watched her walk down the hall and then stood trying to decide whether to have a drink
or turn in. He went to the door of the lounge, saw Ed sitting at the bar with his head in his
hands and decided against a drink. Clipping his coat he turned once more into the rain and to
bed.

10

"So your charm didn't work so well on Ms Able." David couldn't resist interrupting.
"I was simply biding my time," Paul smiled.
"Yeah, right."
"Well anyway, good thing you chose to insult me there because we are up to the third letter.
E for ENVIRONMENT."
David frowned and shook his head. "Nope, sorry, you've got me there. Tell me more, Obi
Won."
Paul chuckled. "Okay, well, if you were listening to Ed pouring out his heart over a few
drinks you'll see that he is a classic case of someone who hasn't kept up with the changing
environment around him. He knows that he is out of step, but doesn't know how to do things
differently and he isn't really motivated to try. As an employee, or even in your own
business, you need to keep in touch with what is happening for your clients, your colleagues,
and about the world in general. You need to be able to speak the same language, to feel
confident about where you're headed, and not fall behind."
"And I guess if you know what is happening out in the world you are better positioned to see
opportunities and then build some strategies to make use of them."
Paul nodded sagely. "You are on the right path, Luke."
David laughed. "This is getting interesting. I can't wait to see who gets murdered."
"I'm happy to continue, but all this talking is making me a bit thirsty." Paul looked pointedly
at the empty bottle on the table in front of them.
David sighed. "Take your point, wise one. My round I think."
Paul ran a hand through his curls and rubbed his head. "Righto, now where were we?"

Summary
Environment
To ensure you are aware of current and future trends in your working environment, think about
the realities of your marketplace:

What local market place issues do you need to take into account in your career plan?

What will your occupation and industry look like in five, ten, twenty years?

What skills, qualifications and knowledge will be in demand in the future? For example, what
impact will globalisation, technology and social change have on your career?

Saturdays always started early for Clara. An early morning power walk around the grounds
just as the sun was rising was the most enjoyable part of her day. She could almost believe that
she was the only person on earth. Even though it was still raining, it had lightened and the
wind had died down a little. She could not see the sun but a light was spreading through the
rainforest and she could just make out the cabins spread out on the hill.

She turned to the cliff her favourite part of the morning's walk. She could hear the sound of
the crashing waves against the rain and breathed in the spray which flew up onto her face. The
edge was slippery and she was careful where she placed her hiker's boots. She thought she
heard a strange cry from the rainforest and turned, but the lodge and cabins spread out silently
behind her. Lou was sometimes up this early, but Clara usually had the morning to herself.
Must have been a catbird. She moved closer to the edge, reaching her arms over her head and
breathing deeply into the wind. Releasing her arms she flopped forward and shook herself like
a rag doll. Her yoga teacher had encouraged her to try this move for relaxation. She still
suffered from anxiety attacks as a result of her stressful previous job and religiously followed
her yoga and tai chi daily.

Breathing in the misty horizon her eyes followed the huge waves as they crashed into the cliff
below. On the shoreline she saw something move on the edges of the water.
Another piece of refuse that ended up here from the shipping channel out to sea? It was hard
to tell in the rain, and she shielded her eyes and moved a little closer. Suddenly the ground
started to give and Clara panicked and quickly scrambled back to more solid footing.
From what she could make out, it was a body and it wasn't moving. It was hard to tell who it
was but it was a male and there was a good chance it was one of the guests.
As she started to run back to the lodge Clara thought about Lou. This was turning into a
rotten weekend for her boss.

11

Lou peered down to the bottom of the cliff, trying to shield her eyes from the horizontal rain.
"Can you tell who it is?"
"No, too hard to tell from here."
"Jeepers, this is all we need." Lou suddenly looked ashamed at what she had said. "Sorry, it's
just that with the Edge just getting off the ground, the death of a guest isn't exactly going to
help things."
"It's okay," said Clara, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"I just can't understand how someone could have fallen down there. There are signs and a
railing," Lou said.
They both looked again to the bottom of the cliff.
"Well no matter how he got there, he's not going to explain to us now," said Clara with a wry
grin.
"Okay," said Lou, "Can you get breakfast ready while I call the police? Well, I'll try to call
the police. I doubt if they are going to want to rush out here with a cyclone offshore."
As they turned and hurried back to the lodge the rain returned with its full fury and the wind
blew them indoors.
Lou strode towards the office and went straight to the phone. There was silence as she placed
the receiver to her ear.
"Damn."
"Hey, you okay?" Paul suddenly appeared in the doorway.
Lou pulled him through the door and shut it behind him.
"Hey don't rush this baby, there's enough of me to go around," Paul smiled and reached for
Lou.
"Don't joke around."
"Who's joking?"
Lou held him off with a hand on his chest and said, "Hold on there sunshine." She took a
deep breath. "There's a body at the bottom of the cliff. I'm trying to phone the police and the
line is dead."
"Well that's a mood breaker if ever I heard one." Paul stood back and crossed his arms.
"This is not a time for joking." Lou scooted back to the other side of the desk. "I'll use the
two-way."
"Who is it? At the bottom of the cliff?"
"What? Oh I don't know, I guess I should check and see who is missing."
Lou clutched the two-way handset in one hand biting her lips.
Paul sighed. "You ring the cops, I'll do a head count. Okay?"

"Thank you."
"No worries. It's just what I feel like a brisk morning walk in the middle of a cyclone."
Paul disappeared out the door before she had the chance to reply.

"So who is it?" asked Lou in a low voice as she met Paul at the lodge entrance.
Paul waited until they were back to the office before replying. "Well from what I can tell it
looks like Strong. I recognized the jacket he was wearing last night. His cabin is unlocked and
empty. And as I was walking back I spotted the other four heading in for breakfast." Paul
collapsed on the top of her desk.
Lou stood at the window and peered out into the gloom. "What will it take to get him up?"
"More good will than I have towards him that's for sure."
Lou turned around. "That's not funny Sorry," Lou said. "I just got off the blower from
Cairns Police and they said that there isn't anything they can do for the next 24 hours or so
until the cyclone blows over. Too dangerous for them to try and attempt to get through the road
and they're all needed in town."
"They said not to move the body."
"Did you" Paul started.
"Yes I told them it's at the bottom of a cliff and if we didn't move it it would be washed away
in the storm.
"So"
"So they said, in that case, we had their permission to bring it up to the lodge and try not to
'interfere' with it too much."
"They think we're a bunch of weirdos?"
"You know what I mean."
"Yeah. Well I'd better round up a couple of people to help us."
Lou was grateful for the "us". Paul had assumed she needed him and for the moment she was
grateful for his help. He started to get up from the table.
"There's just one thing," Lou placed a hand on his arm. "The police said it was okay to move
him because it was an accident."
Paul sat back down and looked at her carefully. "And you don't think it was?"
Lou lowered her voice and leaned closer in. "I don't know. It just seems like too much of a
coincidence. All his staff hated him, it was a clearly marked path and it seems strange for him
to have gone for a walk in the middle of the night when a cyclone is coming. What if it wasn't
an accident?"

A knock at the half-open door startled them both. It opened slowly to reveal the distraught face
of Yasmin Perfect. She looked from Lou to Paul and back. Her voice was barely a whisper. "Is
Arnold dead?"
"How did you"Lou began, walking over to the door.

Yasmin's voice cracked. "I overheard you talking. Is it true?"

Lou tried to be as gentle as she could. "Yes, it looks that way."
The perfectly composed Ms Perfect suddenly seemed to collapse from within. Lou helped
her to a seat and Paul got her a glass of water from the jug on the desk.
"Thank you," said Yasmin, taking the glass. "I just don't believe it. How did it happen?"
"It seems that Mr Strong may have wandered too close to the edge and fallen over the cliff."
"Oh he wouldn't have done that."
"What makes you so sure?"
"Well he's scared of heights."
"How do you know that?" Paul was intrigued.
Yasmin began to study her nails and kept her face low. "I just know."
Paul looked as if he was going to persist but Lou cut him off.
"I'm sorry Yasmin but we really need to get going. We'll round up the others and let them
know what's happening."
Lou led her towards the door and spotted Clara down the corridor.
"Clara can you get Ms Perfect a hot drink please and show her to the lounge?"
Lou shut the door behind her and leaned against it.
"So what do you think of that lot?" Paul nodded to the door.
"Are you asking me if I think she's hiding something?"
"Yes Miss Marple," he smiled. "You were rather good by the way tea and sympathy and
all that."
"I studied psychology at Uni. It just takes a bit of listening."
Paul stood up. "Well it's all very interesting but we've still got a grisly job ahead of us. Let's
round up Clearview, who's probably heard by now and see if we can somehow manage to get
Mr Strong back up the cliff.
"I've got an emergency stretcher which should make it easier."
Paul peered out into the weather. "Hauling a dead man up a cliff in the middle of a cyclone? I
don't think anything is going to make this easy."

12

Later, standing at the top of the cliff, Lou wondered about whether what they were doing made
any sense at all. She was nearly getting blown away and Paul, Nathan and Ed were obviously
struggling down the bottom. The waves were bigger than she had ever seen them and they
were crashing around the men's feet as they clambered along the edge of the rock face. She
wondered what was going through each of their minds as they risked their own lives for a man
that none of them had any respect for.
She had been surprised by Clearview's reaction when they had told him the news just half an
hour before. She and Paul entered the lounge just after Yasmin, who had obviously told all the
Medivalue staff. Kylie, Ed and Nathan were clustered around her, trying to make sense of what
she was saying between sobs.
"Is this true?" Nathan saw them enter and came charging over towards them. "Is Arnold
dead?"
Lou nodded. "We were just coming to tell you. I've spoken to the police on the mainland but
with the cyclone coming they can't reach us by boat and the road's out and even so they have
enough to do in town at present." Lou looked at each of their faces, trying to gauge whether
any of them would be capable of murder. They all looked shocked and upset but their concern
seemed out-of-place considering what they all thought of Arnold.
"But how could this have happened? I mean, what was he doing out there at the cliff?"
Nathan looked wildly from Paul to Lou. "What's going on?"
"I wish I knew Mr Clearview but," Lou started.
"You mean one of your guests has died and you don't have a clue about how it happened or
what's going on?" Nathan's face was white and Lou could see a vein throbbing at the side of
his forehead.
Kylie, comforting a sobbing Yasmin, stepped in. "I hardly think that's going to help things
now, Nathan." She placed a hand on his shoulder and he nodded and bowed his head, taking a
few deep breaths.
"Sorry." He looked at Lou. "It's just a shock that's all."
"Forget it. I'm very sorry for your loss." Lou looked at all of them in turn.
Kylie recovered first and broke the silence. "So what do we do?"
"When I explained to the police about the body's location and that I thought it might get
washed away they suggested that we retrieve it."
"So we've come looking for volunteers," Paul said.
"Retrieve it?" said Yasmin, standing up. "You're going to climb down and carry up
Arnold's body?"
"Yes unless anyone's got any better ideas?" Lou looked at each of her guests. "No? Well let's
get going then before the cyclone gets so bad we can't do anything."
"Yes, yes of course," Nathan pinched his lips with his fingers. "I'll come."

"I will too of course," said Ed stepping forward. "I might not be as fit as I once was but I
learnt how to handle myself in the army."
"What can we do?" Kylie looked calm and prepared for anything.
"You and I will wait at the top of the cliff just in case we are needed," said Lou. "Yasmin,
perhaps you might like to help Clara in the kitchen make us some sandwiches and strong
coffee?" Lou added, more to give Yasmin something to do than for any assistance she could
probably offer. Clara would kill her for inflicting the weeping Yasmin on her, but she'd deal
with that later.
"Okay guys lets get cracking," Paul rubbed his hands together and headed out the door.

Now Lou wondered whether they'd been too gung-ho and sure of themselves in the
circumstances. The wind was making every flying branch a potential lethal weapon and she
and Kylie were in danger of getting swept off the top of the cliff. But the men had reached the
body, just as the waves started to crash over the top of it. Paul and Nathan were carrying the
stretcher between them and placed it near the body, while Ed held a blanket ready.
Lou noticed that they had stopped and Nathan and Paul seemed to be arguing about
something. She could hardly see. The raindrops felt like bullets.
"What's going on do you think?" Kylie had appeared at her side and leaned over the edge.
Lou pulled her back and yelled, "Don't get too close."
"I can take care of myself." Kylie adjusted her cap and jacket.
"Yes well that's what your boss thought too."
"I don't think he would have gone over the edge without some encouragement." Kylie's
words were hard to make out.
"What did you say?" Lou shouted into the wind.
"Look there's something going on down there," Kylie ignored her question and pointed to the
bottom.
Paul had turned the body over and it flopped like a rag doll against the rocks. The three men
stood and looked down at the body and then Paul looked up at Lou shaking his head slowly.
Nathan seemed to be shouting at Paul and Ed and gesturing towards the ocean as it crashed
against their legs. But Ed placed a hand on his shoulder and he seemed to calm down. He
nodded at Paul and, with what seemed like little effort, they placed the body on the stretcher,
covered it with a blanket, strapped it in and turned slowly to retrace their steps.
Lou hoped they would hurry as the path was quickly disappearing under the rising water. She
saw Paul shout something at Ed who moved ahead of them, parleying out the ropes that were
attached to the sides of the stretcher. Ed made his way up the cliff path. He had reached the
handrail at the bottom of the stone steps and started to make some ground.
"He's stronger than he looks," thought Lou as she and Kylie moved to the top of the steps. Ed
was panting hard by the time he reached them but he efficiently handed them the ropes which
they tied to the top of the rail. There was no point in speaking with the howl of the wind and so
with hand gestures they positioned themselves on the ropes and started to haul.

Paul and Nathan had reached the base of the steps and, as the ropes tightened, they started to
ascend. It seemed like hours before they reached the top but in reality within forty-five minutes
they had all reached the doors of the lodge. Paul and Nathan continued to carry the stretcher
down the main corridor to the kitchen and then out the rear door to the lean-to cold-room. Lou
unlocked the padlock and, exhausted and grateful, they placed their burden on the clean tiled
floor.

They each stood for a moment in silence staring at the bundle wrapped in an old grey blanket
before Yasmin burst through the door and threw herself at the body. Nathan reached down and
roughly hauled her to her feet.
"You can stop pretending to be upset Yasmin," Nathan snarled. "He doesn't deserve your
tears. Or anyone else's for that matter."
"Nathan there's no need for that," Kylie held the sobbing Yasmin. "There's no need to be so
cruel."
"Oh I'm not the cruel one here. I'm just one of the poor suckers who just risked his life
walking up and down a cliff face in a freaking cyclone. Arnold's still the biggest bastard here."
Kylie looked at Nathan and then turned to Paul. "What's going on?"
Paul knelt at the side of the stretcher. "It seems that your boss has a sense of humour." All
eyes focused on the blanket. Paul untied the rope and pulled the blanket aside.
"No!" Yasmin gasped as Kylie staggered against her weight. Lou's hands went to her mouth
and she looked at Paul, who shrugged and shook his head. "I don't know what the hell your
boss thinks he's up to, but I'd like to have a word with him."
"Get in line," Nathan snarled. "I can't believe you insisted on bringing it back up here. I
wanted to throw it into the ocean and be done with it."
Lou knelt next to Paul and gingerly pulled aside the cap which was covering the head. The
hair came off and revealed the full extent of the hoax. An eerie wax face stared back at her.
"He brought a dummy with him?"
"Well the head anyway. The rest is a kind of cloth bag in the shape of a body, filled with
sand so that it would fall I guess. And he dressed it in his clothes." Paul replaced the blanket
and stood up.
"A pretty elaborate joke don't you think?" Lou asked, looking at the Medivalue staff standing
around.
"Well I'm glad he's not here," said Kylie, "Because if he was I'd want to kill him."
Yasmin pulled free of Kylie's arms. "But if this isn't Arnold, then where is he?" She
looked frantically from one to another. "We have to find him. We have to see if he's all right."
Lou found it hard to meet Yasmin's eyes.
Ed was the only one who took pity on her. "I'm sure he's fine dear. If he was fit enough to
haul that thing off a cliff last night then I'm sure he's around here somewhere, just waiting to
jump out at us and shout 'Surprise.'"
"I hope he does," said Nathan. "Just give me five minutes with him and I'll"
"You'll what?" challenged Kylie. "Give him a good talking-to?" She rolled her eyes. "Don't
make threats you don't have the guts to follow through on. Arnold's playing another one of his

macho boot camp games and he expects us to all fall to pieces. Well I for one, am not going to
crumble." She turned to the door. "I'm going to have a hot shower and a change of clothes and
then have something to eat." She looked at Lou. "I think I heard you say something about
coffee and sandwiches?"
Lou quickly got to her feet. "Yes sorry, I'll arrange to have it served in the lounge now.
Please excuse me, I'll have to call the police and tell them there's been a mistake." She
followed Kylie out of the door. Ed ushered Yasmin out, still babbling about finding Arnold.
Paul shook his head and nodded at Nathan. "After you mate."
Paul took one last look behind him as he locked and bolted the door behind them.

13

A short time later, the group reassembled in the lounge. The rescuers had all showered and
changed into dry clothes and gratefully accepted the hot drinks and sandwiches. Lou had
radioed the mainland and told the police the results of the morning's expedition. They seemed
annoyed but busy and had kept the conversation short, promising only to "keep in touch". Lou
was relieved that they had the distraction of the cyclone and hadn't asked too many questions.
She checked the cyclone reports and learned that Bertha had once again changed course and
was heading directly south straight for the tiny peninsula where they sat, jutting out into the
bay.

As she left the office and headed towards the lounge she heard what sounded like an argument
coming from the training room. Looking around at the empty corridor she walked quietly over
to the door and leaned against it. It sounded like Kylie and Nathan but she couldn't be sure and
cursed her good planning at making the doors to the training rooms soundproof. "You're quite
the snoop aren't you?" whispered a voice in her ear. Lou spun around and clasped her heart.
Paul stood there grinning. "You scared the, the crap out of me."
"Couldn't resist," began Paul before Lou grabbed him and put her finger to his lips. "Shhh,"
Lou whispered and leaned back towards the door. "Listen." With mock seriousness Paul leaned
with her, enjoying the excuse for their faces to be so close. "You know, you really have
beautiful lips," whispered Paul.
Lou frowned and shook her head. "They're talking about Arnold. Maybe they know more
than they're telling."
"Well why don't we ask them?" and with that Paul opened the door and entered the room.
Kylie and Nathan were bent over the laptop as they argued, but both snapped upright when
Paul and Lou strode into the room.
"You okay?" asked Paul. "Only we could hear arguing and..."
"We're fine," said Kylie quickly closing the laptop's lid. "We just wanted to get some news
about the cyclone."

"Well I was just coming back to tell you what I'd learned," said Lou. "Is the computer
working?"
"No the internet seems to be down. No signal."
Nathan took a step forward in front of the desk. "I wanted to send an email to my wife. She's
pregnant. It's our first and, well I just wanted to let her know that I was okay."
Lou almost felt sorry for him, he seemed so sincere. "I could try to get a message to Cairns
and get someone to ring her if you like."
"Could you? Thanks. That would be great."
"Sure, come to the office now and we'll see what we can do." Lou led him out of the door
and towards the office, looking pointedly at Paul on the way.
Kylie remained where she was. Paul stood near the door and waved his arm gallantly
towards the doorway.
She hesitated and then with one last look at the laptop walked out of the door.
Paul followed her back to the door of the lounge. "I'll join you in a minute," he said as he
closed the door behind her and then scooted back to the training room. He opened up the
laptop but Kylie had been too quick and shut it down. Paul smiled wryly as he headed back to
the lounge. Either they've got something to hide or Lou's paranoia was contagious.

Lou hung up the handset and turned back to Nathan who was standing near the window
looking out at the storm. He seemed to be lost in thought for a few seconds then remembered
Lou was there. "Thanks for that."
"No problem." Lou decided to press him a little. "It must be tough for your wife with you
working crazy hours and being such a high stress job."
"Yes. Something Arnold never seems to understand. Just because he cheats on his wife and
never spent any time with his kids growing up he thinks everyone should live their lives the
same way. Nathan sighed and sank into a chair opposite Lou. I used to be like him, or think
that I wanted to be like him powerful, rich. But with the baby coming, I don't know."
Nathan looked down at his hands. "My priorities are shifting. I want to be able to come home
in time to have dinner with my family and to actually see my kids grow up. That's what Arnold
and I were fighting about all the time. He wanted me to succeed him, which would mean
working twelve hour days, six days a week. And I told him that wasn't me. I'm committed to
the company but," Nathan threw his hands up in the air.
"He's not into staff having a work/life balance?" Lou leaned against the windowsill.
"Hasn't heard of the concept." Nathan shook his head.
"So how did you feel about coming away for the weekend?"
"I told Arnold that we didn't need to spend thousands of dollars coming away to some
corporate retreat to analyze business plans when we could have done that just as successfully
back at the office and maybe given everyone a cash bonus as a reward instead."
"But he wanted to come."
"Yes. He had a bee in his bonnet about something. He wanted to do team-building exercises
and pretend he was Crocodile Dundee. We know what he was planning now I guess.

We've all been working very hard over the last year developing the launch and marketing for
a prototype for a new technology, a healing agent dispensed through a bandage. Trials show
positive results and after we went public, our shares soared. We're about to sign a lucrative
deal with a firm in China and so Arnold wanted to take everyone away. In my opinion, he just
wanted a bit of time away from his wife, if you know what I mean."
Nathan looked at Lou. She smiled grimly. "Yes I picked up on that. They are separated?"
"No way. The money to set up the company came from her you see. Family money. From
what I can tell she keeps a pretty tight rein on him and the business. Difficult to tell what
she cares about more. I spoke to her in the lift at the office just a few days ago and she seemed
very excited by this Chinese deal." Nathan sighed and looked down at his hands again. "But
now I'm not sure how stable Arnold is. If the board finds out about this, well they might expect
me to step into Arnold's shoes and I don't know if I want to. In fact," said Nathan, shifting back
in his seat and looking Lou in the eye, "I know I don't want to." It was the first time she had
seen him smile.
"Well it looks like Medivalue will have to find itself another 2IC," said Lou.
Nathan's smile widened. "Yes it will."

14

Paul stopped his story and glanced over at David, who had been twisting his hands around his
bottle for the last few minutes, deep in thought. "Does this Nathan guy remind you of anyone?"
David looked up. "Yes, a bit" He sighed. "No, a lot. He sounds a lot like me, except he has
the wife, family, the things that are important." David leaned forward. "But I know what he
means about the pressure. I used to think that the money was the most important thing. I really
busted a gut to get my first job in this company. I wanted it all the money, the big house, the
flashy car.
"And then you get on the financial roundabout. You take out a huge mortgage, which means
that you need to get that next promotion and you buy the big screen TV and the sound system,
and soon your credit card debt looks like it could feed a Third World nation and the pressure to
get the next job and the next is, well, it's insane."
David rubbed his eyes. "And the irony of it is that you are becoming less and less content the
more you fight to get to the top."
Paul considered his new friend. David was speaking a foreign language as far as he was
concerned, but he could see how unhappy he was. "Well mate, it sounds like you are ready for
an F."
David looked at him.
"F for FINANCIAL OBJECTIVES," Paul explained. "You need to sit down and work out
just how much money you need to have in order to be happy with what you've got. Some
people might need a million bucks to be happy and are willing to make the sacrifices needed to
get it. Others, like our friend Nathan, are deciding that maybe they can get by on less in order
to achieve more in other areas of their lives."

Paul managed to let the silence hang between them for a few minutes. He could see that
David was going through an internal struggle. The to-ing and fro-ing of his thoughts was
almost palpable. Finally David looked up and smiled. "Okay, I think I have a bit more thinking
to do on that one, but I want to hear the rest of the story so I'll put F aside for a bit."

Summary
Financial objectives
Careers and financial needs go hand in hand:

Do you have a financial plan consistent with your career goals?

Do you have a trusted advisor who can assist you plan your financial future?

When was the last time you carried out an in-depth analysis of your financial position?

Have you set a realistic financial budget, taking into account your partner's and family needs?

15

Saturday afternoon passed slowly. The guests amused themselves in the lounge playing cards,
reading and drinking. Lou and Paul did several circuits of the buildings ensuring that all the
shutters were closed and doors fastened. The wind still clawed at the buildings but it didn't
seem to be getting any worse and Lou hoped that the cyclone might bypass them.
"Thanks again Paul," said Lou as they entered the foyer and made their way to her office.
"Anytime. What else would I be doing on a Saturday afternoon except watching the footie
with my mates and then having a celebratory drink or two at the local?" Paul paused at the
door of her office.
"Shhh!" Lou placed a hand on his mouth. "There's someone in the office." She slowly turned
the handle and started to open the door but unfortunately it creaked and a figure standing near
the two-way radio spun around.
"Yasmin?" Lou walked into the office. "What are you doing?"
Yasmin looked as if she was going to try and argue her way through being caught but then
dissolved into tears and sat down in a chair.
"I'm sorry. I was, I just wanted to get the police or someone to look for Arnold. I know
something's happened to him and no one else here seems to care."
Lou was getting tired of Yasmin's tears but she tried to be patient.
"You obviously do care," said Lou offering her a box of tissues. "Why do you think Arnold
is in trouble rather than just out hiding somewhere playing a joke?"

Yasmin paused, looking at Lou and Paul. "Well I don't think he threw that dummy off the
cliff. He couldn't have. He's afraid of heights."
Puzzled, Lou probed a little further. "You mentioned that this morning but I don't
understand. How do you know?"
"Well as someone's assistant you get to know them very well and, after my husband died,
Arnold was very good to me and my son Tom. He was very understanding if I needed time off.
There are a million things that go wrong when you are a single parent."
"Yes of course," said Lou in a gentle voice.
Yasmin turned to her. "He took Tom and me indoor rock-climbing one day because Tom's
crazy about it. But Arnold wouldn't go up, he just stood at the bottom. He told me later he's
afraid of heights."
"Sounds like you did know him very well," Lou and Paul exchanged a look over her head.
"When did you see him last?" Lou tried to appear concerned, not curious.
"What? Oh, just after midnight, we all split up and went to our cabins.
"And that was the last time you saw him?"
"Yes." Yasmin suddenly sat upright. What are you suggesting?"
Paul sat on the edge of the desk in front of her. "So was that before or after I spoke to you at
Arnold's cabin?"
"Oh, I, well, yes I mean that's the last time I saw him." Yasmin looked down briefly but then
she stuck out her chin and met Paul's eyes. "I left straight after you. Arnold wanted to sleep."
Her voice was firm. Paul wasn't going to get any more out of her. He opened his mouth to
speak but Lou shook her head at him.
She leaned towards Yasmin and her voice was sympathetic. "I guess I was just wondering
how close you were. This must be terrible for you."
Yasmin's eyes filled with tears. "Yes, what will I do now?"
Lou handed her a tissue.
"You feel alone?" Lou prompted.
Yasmin looked into her eyes and lowered her voice. "Well we had an arrangement. We were
very discreet. He's separated from his wife and it's been very hard for him. We're going to be
married as soon as he can get a divorce."
Behind Yasmin's head Paul rolled his eyes and Lou frowned at him.
"So you were with him last night?"
"Well I went to check on him, you know, he had quite a bit to drink. But when I got near his
cabin I heard him arguing with someone and I didn't want to go in and I didn't want to stand in
the rain so I left."
"Could you tell who it was he was arguing with?"
"No," Yasmin bit her lips. "It was dark and noisy with the storm. I actually thought it was a
woman but then I can't be sure. It didn't sound like Nathan. He and Arnold are always arguing
about something."
"This was later, after I saw you?" Paul interrupted.
Yasmin took a while to reply.
"Yes I went back again later." Yasmin stared at her shoes. "What is going to happen now?"

"Well we have to wait out the storm but hopefully we might be able to get you back home
tomorrow as planned."
"But what about Arnold?" Yasmin wasn't going to take no for an answer.
"Paul and I have just been around and checked all of the buildings so he's not here. The
police aren't going to do anything now, not with the cyclone hanging around."
"And not after the last time we called them," Paul added under his breath.
Lou tried to add a brighter note. "We'll be getting dinner soon and then we'll have an early
night." Lou steered Yasmin towards the door. "Hopefully the cyclone will have passed and we
can have a better look in the morning. Okay?"

Lou firmly shut the door behind her. Paul was still seated with his arms crossed.
"So?" he pressed.
"So I don't think she's telling the truth. I think she's more worried about her job than her
boyfriend. She's got too much to lose. Besides, I don't think he's quite as separated from his
wife as she makes out.
"I wonder if Ms Perfect knows that?"
"Well if she does she's putting on a great performance." Lou sighed and hauled herself to her
feet. "It's getting on and there's nothing much else we can do about it. I'd better go and see
what we can put together for dinner."
"Mmmm food. My favourite word." Paul followed her out the door and they set off down the
shadowy corridor towards the kitchen.
Clara obviously hadn't started her preparations yet and the kitchen was cold and gloomy in
the half-light cast by the cyclone.
"So what do you think?" asked Lou as she tried to light the gas lamp.
"About?" asked Paul, taking over.
"About Arnold. Do you think he could be in trouble? Or do you think he might be crazy?"
"Does the word 'obsession' mean anything to you?" Paul leaned towards her but she ducked
under his arms.
"Doesn't it concern you that we might be trapped in a cyclone with a?"
"A nutter is the word you are looking for. No actually I'm more concerned that we are
trapped in a building full of boring business types." Paul started opening bottles and poking
into cupboards. "Anything to eat around here?"
"Here" Lou thrust a bottle of biscuits at him.
"Thanks," said Paul grabbing a couple and wolfing them down. He stopped chewing. "What,
you okay?"
"There's someone out there," whispered Lou, staring at the kitchen door.
"Where?"
Lou grabbed his arm and turned him to face the glass door that led outside. "I saw someone
out there."
"In that storm? You're crazy."

"Shh!" Lou turned down the lamp and pulled him against the wall.
They stood there silently and watched as the door handle began to turn. Paul grabbed for a
frying-pan. The knob stopped turning.
"It's locked," whispered Lou.
Paul nodded. "Stay here." Paul slowly moved towards the door. Lou crouched behind him
and followed.
The wind suddenly dropped and the room became silent. The door rattled. Lou gasped as a
rock shattered a pane of glass. A hand came through to unlock the door. The lock turned, the
hand retreated and then the door creaked open. Paul gently pushed Lou behind him. The
shadows moved and a figure slunk into the room. Paul crept between it and the door and then
lunged. In the half light the two figures fell to the floor and rolled around, grunting. Paul got
on top, punched the other twice and then hauled the figure to its feet. Lou turned up the lamp
and the light bounced off a familiar face.
Lou couldn't believe her eyes. "Arnold?"
"So the idiot has returned," Paul held tight as Arnold struggled.
"Take your hands off me." Arnold may have been wet, dirty and looking the worse for wear
but he still managed to sound like he was in charge.
Paul pushed him away. "With pleasure mate. But in a few minutes you might be grateful to
have only me to face instead of the others."
Arnold scowled at them both and tried to smooth down his crumpled clothes.
"What were you doing out there?" Lou was still having trouble reconciling the shivering
figure in front of her with the man she met off the ferry. In the semi-darkness it seemed as if
Arnold had had a rough day.
"I was just doing my job. Leading my team." Arnold sank into a chair and rubbed the water
off his pale face.
"By making us think you were dead? Scaring and upsetting the people you work with?" Lou
shook her head.
"If I know them they won't have shed a tear. They will have been dividing up the kingdom
within a few seconds of learning of my demise." Arnold snarled as he stretched back against
the wall.
"So what was the plan Arnold? To do crises role-plays to see how your team reacted?"
Arnold stood and strode over to the shelves where he found the bottle of biscuits Paul had
been eating. "Something like that."
"That's crazy," said Lou shaking her head.
"You can't talk to me like that. I'm a guest and I will be treated with respect."
"Just like you've treated us with respect," Paul advanced towards Arnold with his hands
curled into fists.
"Paul please," Lou stepped between them. She turned to Arnold. "So is that it Mr Strong?
Game over or should we anticipate any more problems?"
Arnold paused between mouthfuls and sized up Lou and then Paul standing behind her.
"No that's it. I'll be going to my cabin now to have a shower and change of clothes and I'll be
back for dinner. I'm still in charge here Ms Able. And don't you forget it. I still pay the bills."

Paul looked at Lou. "What does he mean?"

Lou placed hand on Paul's arm. "Just leave it please. I'll explain later."
"No why don't you tell your boyfriend here the story now?" Arnold settled in, enjoying
himself. "No? Well let's see. Lou here had already taken the loan out from the bank using her
Father's house for collateral only to find that he had gambled it away right from under the
family and left them with nothing. And then he took off leaving Lou with huge debts, a half
finished building and no way to finish it. My company stepped in and provided enough capital
to see the project finished."

Arnold strolled over to the refrigerator and took out a carton of juice. He took a swig from the
carton and smiled. "Still cold. Why else do you think I would have dragged my team all the
way up here for a weekend? I wanted to check on our investment. And I find that it is being
very poorly managed. Arnold placed the half empty carton on the benchtop and headed for the
door. "I might need to mention my concerns to the rest of the investment group."
But Lou was not totally beaten. "You mean your wife?"
Arnold's face was instantly red and he yelled. "It's my money, not hers and don't you forget it
girlie." He flung open the door. "I'll be expecting dinner in an hour." The door slammed behind
him, shattering the glass further.
Paul said nothing as he tried to wedge the door against the wind and placed a bread board
over the hole in the glass. He turned and looked at Lou. "You work for that guy?"
"Not technically. Sorry it's a long story and I would have mentioned it but..."
"Hey," Paul held up his hands. "None of my business."
Lou straightened her shoulders. "You're right. It's not."
Paul stood for a moment, watching her. He walked over and placed his hands on her
shoulders. "You don't need to tell me anything but if you want to, I'll"
"Shhh," Lou turned suddenly towards the door to the hallway. "Did you just hear
something?"
Paul shook his head.
Lou strode to the door and flung it open revealing nothing but a dark, empty hallway. "I
could have sworn I heard someone." She turned back to find Paul looking at her, puzzled.
"Now you think I'm crazy."
"I think I'll reserve judgment," he smiled.
"Well while you're doing that, I'd better start dinner. Could you find Clara for me and ask her
to come and help?"
"You sure?"
Lou turned with such a look of exasperation that Paul put up his hands in protest. "I'm going,
I'm going. Just scream if someone else tries to break in." And he was gone.

Lou started to sort through the supplies for dinner. She kept herself busy but she was unable to
get the thought out of her mind that someone had been listening to their conversation. Arnold

seemed to go out of his way to get on people's nerves. She stopped and leaned against the
counter, thinking about Paul's face when he heard what Arnold said. She sighed "Well, too late
now." She could hear Clara coming down the corridor, the unmistakable thump of her doc
martins against the wooden floor. They'd better get started on what was going to be a
memorable meal. As she banged a couple of pots on the stove she wondered how the
Medivalue team was going to react to their boss suddenly turning up for dinner.

16

An hour later the fire in the lounge was burning brightly, casting shadows over the faces of Ed,
Yasmin, Kylie and Nathan as they sat, drinks in hand. Lou was serving at the bar and trying to
stay out of their way. She was unsure whether or not to tell them that Arnold had reappeared.
They were a cheerless, silent group, not helped by the raging wind and rain outside. The
candlelight, howling winds and the unpleasant events of the morning created a suitably gothic
mood that was going to be hard to lift. Lou secretly hoped that Arnold would decide to stay in
his cabin and they would all go to bed early.

She quickly turned away to the wall to hide a yawn and gathered a tray of canaps. She walked
over to the group and offered them the tray. "It's been a long day, hasn't it?" she tried, but only
Ed made eye contact and smiled at her. He nodded. Lou pressed on. "I am confident that your
cabins will be safe in this weather but I would still recommend that you all consider sleeping in
this room tonight, with the staff and me, just in case the weather should get worse."
Nathan stirred. "I can't believe that idiot Arnold dragged us up here in the middle of a
cyclone."
"You wouldn't say that to his face Nathan," Yasmin's face was flushed. Lou noticed she was
already on to her second glass of wine. "You don't have the guts to speak like that to his face."
Nathan stared coldly at her. "I don't need a critique of my behaviour from a secretary, thank
you."
"Nathan, that's enough," said Kylie shaking her head. "This weekend's been bad enough
without us attacking each other as well.
"No, that's your job, isn't it?" Nathan raised his voice. "Doing whatever it takes to get to the
top. No matter who you have to step on to get there."
Lou escaped back to the bar, relieved to see Paul appear. He frowned as he looked over to
the group at the fireplace, still arguing.
"Sounds like feeding time at the zoo," he smiled.
Lou looked over his shoulder. "And just wait, it's about to get a whole lot noisier, I think."

Arnold's voice cut across the group's rabble. "Well, thank you all for gathering to welcome me
back from the dead." He sidled through the doorway leading to the dining room and leaned
against the bar, enjoying the expressions on the faces that were now turned towards him.
"Arnold?" Yasmin hesitated.
Arnold moved behind the bar, pushed Lou out of the way, and helped himself to a large shot
of whiskey. "Yes, my dear? Something on your mind?"
"Well there's something on mine," interrupted Nathan, walking across to the bar. "What the
bloody hell have you been playing at? We nearly killed ourselves climbing down that cliff this
morning to save your ungrateful ass."
"The country air agrees with you Nathan," said Arnold. "It seems as if you have developed a
backbone."
"Well I discovered that I don't want to be your deputy any more and I have no ambition to
ever becoming a CEO if it means turning out to be a carbon copy of you."
"Don't worry Clearview," snarled Arnold, "you weren't going to be offered the job anyway.
On my recommendation, the board was reconsidering whether to renew your contract after
your weak performance with the Chinese investors."
"But it was my work that got us that deal." Nathan looked genuinely astonished, then angry.
"You took credit for all of my work, you bastard."
Kylie placed a restraining arm on Nathan as he lunged towards Arnold across the bar
counter.
"I wish it had been you at the bottom of the cliff." Nathan spat.
"Whoa boy." Arnold placed his hands up in the air in mock terror. "Forgive me for just trying
to teach my team something about themselves. You should be thanking me for what I tried to
show you."
"If you wanted to teach us something, I think there are more appropriate ways to do it
Arnold," Kylie was managing to keep her cool but her voice betrayed her anger. "I had a whole
weekend planned of..."
"Of us sitting around pretending to be polite to each other?" Arnold was contemptuous.
"Doing some activities you learned on one of the many conferences you have attended
interstate that the company paid for?" Arnold smirked. "I've decided that there will be a stop to
that in future my dear. I think Medivalue will be outsourcing its HR needs from now on." He
refilled his glass. "And so that means there won't be a position for you any more. What a
shame."
But Kylie wasn't easily put down. "That would be a backwards step Arnold, and not in the
best interests of the company." She stood firm with her arms crossed. "If you have a personal
disagreement with me that's one thing, but it would mean my whole team losing their jobs, not
to mention losing the advantages of having in-house HR consultants."
Arnold stared back at her. "The decision has been made. You'll find your reassignment notice
on your desk when we return. A position somewhere in sales I think in our Darwin office."
Kylie's eyes widened but her voice was eerily calm. "So why bring us out here and go
through this charade?"
"It was your last chance to show the kind of qualities Medivalue needs to take it into the
future. I tried to teach you and you all failed."

"I could teach you a few things," muttered Ed in the background.

"Well, well, well," drawled Arnold as he swaggered out from behind the bar and walked
towards Ed. "Another quarter heard from. And what would you teach me, Ed? How to be a
loser? How to be a joke to my colleagues and a failure to my family? Hah. Look at you. Look
at all of you." Arnold's arms swung wide, spilling some of his drink. He stumbled backwards
and sat on the arm of the sofa, breathing heavily. Yasmin moved tentatively towards him.
"Arnold? Are you okay?"
Arnold wheezed and waved her away. "Stop acting like you care." He bent over, coughing.
"You are the worst of the lot. You think that sucking up to me will guarantee you a job? Think
again."
Yasmin's hand flew to her mouth with a sob.
Arnold started to laugh and then cough and splutter. No one moved to help him. The only
sounds were the crackling of the fire and Arnold's wheezing.
"Mr Strong, can I get you" Lou started.
"No!" Arnold shouted, getting to his feet. "I've said all that I want to say. You're all through.
Pack your bags. We'll be leaving in the morning."
"Mr Strong, there's a cyclone heading this way. You won't be able to leave yet." Lou's voice
was calm and steady despite feeling as if the evening was spinning out of control.
"I'll leave when I say I want to," Arnold was shouting now, red in the face. He turned to Lou
and started to growl at her. "As for you..."
"That's enough mate," Paul stepped in front of Lou. "We could say it's the drink, but the truth
is you're just a nasty piece of work. If it was up to me, I'd put you in a boat and send you out
into the middle of the cyclone, but I'd be worried that someone would feel obliged to go to the
trouble of rescuing you again."
"Who the hell do you think you are?"
Paul was usually slow to anger but his patience had been tested to the limit in the past
twenty-four hours. "I'm the person who's going to beat the shit out of you unless you shut up
and stop being such an arrogant prick, that's who."
Paul and Arnold stood face to face, Arnold breathing heavily.
Arnold was the first to break eye contact, looking around the room. Sullen, angry faces
stared back at him. Lou imagined she saw him falter for just a second before he squared his
shoulders and brushed roughly past Paul. He stopped at the bar, grabbed a nearly full bottle of
scotch and then continued on to the doorway. "A farewell toast." He took off the lid and lifted
the bottle to his lips. "To the most weak-willed, incompetent team to ever sit around a
boardroom table." Arnold appeared to lose his balance a little as he smacked his lips and
turned to go. He paused for a minute and looked at Lou. "I expect my dinner to be served in
my cabin immediately. The company here would make me lose my appetite." With that he
walked out of the doorway and into the rain.

17

The embers of the fire burned low and long ago everyone had given up the pretence of trying
to be sociable. Nathan's mood had seemed to lighten since he had confessed his lack of
ambition to Arnold. He had even been helpful with checking the outside of the building and
bringing in extra supplies but had then slipped out back to his own cabin. Yasmin had finally
stopped sniffling and had started on a bottle of wine, finishing it just before falling asleep on
one of the couches. Ed leaned across and tried to cover her with a blanket but she woke up and
pushed him away. "I don't need your help," she yelled. She saw Lou watching them. "Well,
what are you staring at?" She stood unsteadily and caught her breath. "I'm going to bed."
"Don't you think it would better if you stayed here tonight?" Ed reached for her arm but she
swerved out of his reach and headed for the door, stopping only briefly to grab another bottle
of wine from the bar. Ed shook his head, caught Lou watching him and shrugged, "She's about
the same age as my Debbie." He came over and joined her on the floor near the fire.
"I notice that you haven't had a drink tonight," said Lou in a low voice. "Everyone else seems
to have indulged to keep out the chill."
Ed ran a wrinkled hand over his face. He looked tired and drawn but somehow more
contented than Lou remembered him when he arrived a little over 24 hours ago.
"Well today, after 'rescuing' Arnold I don't know," he paused and stared into the embers. "I
guess I started to think about my own life and how I am living it. It was tough today, but I
loved feeling useful. Like I was making an actual difference in someone's life. Today I kept
looking around at my colleagues. What kind of life do they have? All the gossip and infighting
and having to watch your back. I don't have much time left and I don't want to spend it
surrounded by people who put their job first and their friends and family last." Ed gave a wry
smile. "Look at Arnold. What if he had died today? What has he got to show for his life? A
wife who hates him, a company that's doing well but staffed by people who can't stand him.
He's rich but," the sentence tapered off. "When my time comes, I think I'd like to go
differently."
"I don't know that many of us get a choice do we?" Lou gently teased.
Ed smiled. "No, but we get to choose how we live and so far I'm not very impressed with
how I've done that. Young Clearview, his generation has the right idea. He told me he's going
to look for a less stressful job. Maybe even move to a smaller town. In my day we didn't feel
like we had choices about our careers, our lives. Everyone did what they thought they should
do."
"Yes a lot of damage is done in this world by that word 'should'," said Lou. Her gaze took in
the sleeping forms around the room. "I made my mind up years ago that I would have my own
business, run my own show."
"You should be proud of what you've achieved here lass," said Ed placing a hand on her
shoulder. "You've shown me a thing or two." Ed sat up straighter. "I'm glad that Arnold has
finally told me to go."

"Really?" said Lou. "But you were so upset last night when you thought you were fired."
"Yes, crazy isn't it? But climbing up that rockface in the freezing rain this morning I felt
really alive for the first time in years. I'm angry about the reason of course but it felt good
being outdoors and really helping someone in a practical way, not just selling them a product
that no one cares about or that's going to be copied and reproduced and sold cheaply to people
who don't even know why they're buying it. It should be produced for people in the third world
who need it but our board of directors is only concerned with profit. No, I realised that I had
been hanging on thinking that I needed more money to retire. But I've got enough money if I
live simply. The truth is," he paused, "I just didn't want to let go of the title and the job and the
feeling that I am needed. I'm not. I'm replaceable as a sales manager but I'm not replaceable as
a human being. I want to find out who Ed Senior really is or used to be. I want to be a father
and a grandfather and do it right. I want to matter to the people who love me, not to some
corporation that wants to tip me out on the scrapheap."
Ed stretched his legs out in front of him. "Cramp," he explained to Lou. "Happens when a
body isn't used to being placed in strange positions."
Lou nodded and smiled. "Sounds like you're about to do a lot of things you're not used to."
She leaned over to him and whispered. "Congratulations."
"Thank you. Sorry dear, rabbiting on like this. You probably want to get some sleep."
"It's been a pleasure Ed," said Lou.
Ed nodded and with a slight groan got to his feet. "All this talk has made me a bit peckish. I
think you said that there were some leftovers in the kitchen?"
"Yes I'll help you," said Lou, starting to get to her feet.
Ed put his hand on her shoulder. "No you stay here. I'm fine to rustle up a sandwich by
myself. Thank you dear."
Lou nodded and watched him take one of the torches and disappear out the door.

She scanned the room in the half-light from the fire. Everyone else was now sleeping soundly
guessing from the snores. She remembered being surprised the first time she passed by Clara's
room and heard snores that would saw wood in half. She hadn't thought a woman could make
that much noise. She seemed to be quiet enough tonight though.

Kylie had used her laptop until the battery ran out and then had stalked about the room, unsure
of what to do. Lou had offered her a book but she finally settled into a lounge chair with a
glass of wine and a few magazines before declaring she couldn't concentrate and insisted on
sleeping in her cabin, against Lou's advice.

And Paul. Paul had edged his way closer to the fire until they were seated side by side. Lou
admitted only to herself that she liked the feel of him close by and the smell of his skin. But
she also knew that she needed to think first about her business and her guests this weekend.

Personal matters could wait. She looked at his face as it glowed in the light of the fire. No,
business first, no matter how tempting the distraction.
The wind still pounded against the building but it seemed to have dropped a little in the last
hour or so, and the thunder and lightening had passed. Lou wasn't worried about the lodge
standing up to the storm as she had supervised the building herself and knew that its' thick
stone walls could withstand anything. The rain on the roof became soothing rather than
threatening and she gradually sank into her blanket onto the floor.

18

Lou didn't know what had awoken her but suddenly she was alert, her heart pounding. Even
though the windows were shuttered she could tell that it was early morning. Light had started
to filter into the room. It was silent and it took a few moments for her to realize what was
different. The winds had dropped and the rain was falling so gently that it could hardly be
heard against the window. In her half-awake state Lou struggled to think clearly. Something
wasn't right. There was something she should be remembering. What was it? She looked
carefully about the room again. Paul was now stirring beside her. But no Clara. And it seemed
as if all of the guests had stayed in their cabins. She should check to see how they had fared.
Lou's heart started to beat faster for a reason she couldn't quite put her finger on. She shook
off her blanket and headed outside into a gentle but persistent rain. They had been lucky. A
few broken tree branches seemed to be the only damage.
"Good morning." Kylie was on the deck of her cabin doing some stretches, dressed as if she
was ready for an inner-Sydney gym.
Lou stopped at the bottom of the steps and leaned on the railing. "Morning. I am just
checking to see if everyone is okay after last night's storm."
"You mean the one in the lounge or the cyclone?" said Kylie with a raised eyebrow.
Lou smiled. She was continually surprised by Kylie's ability to keep on top of whatever was
going on.
"Both I guess. I'm off to the other cabins now."
"Well I won't be joining you. I'm only halfway through my routine."
Lou nodded. "Breakfast will be ready in an hour." She waved over her shoulder but Kylie
was already concentrating on her next stretch.

As Lou made her way along the muddy path, she almost sank up to her ankles in water. Filling
in the holes and repairing the garden was going to keep her busy for the next few days. She
heard a splash and saw Nathan navigating the puddles and heading for the main building. She
gave him a wave and turned up the hill towards Yasmin's cabin. "Well that's two down and
three more to find," she muttered to herself.
Reaching Yasmin's cabin she walked up the steps and found the door ajar.

"Yasmin?" She hesitated, remembering the angry scene the night before. Taking a deep
breath, she pushed the door and stepped inside. The bed looked as if it had been slept in and an
assortment of empty bottles bore testament to a late night. Lou crept towards the bathroom and
was thankful to see that the door was open and the room empty. There were several open
bottles on the vanity unit and some pills strewn near the sink. Yasmin didn't look the type to be
taking so many pills. She picked up a bottle and read the prescription. 'Arnold Strong'. What
were Arnold's pills doing in Yasmin's cabin? Did Yasmin need the comfort of a warm bath and
a pill or two to take away the pain of her boss's comments the night before? It looked as if she
had been soaking in a hot tub as there was plenty of water on the floor. Or maybe she and
Arnold had made up and they were sharing the tub?
Lou returned to the bedroom wondering about what to do next. At a movement outside the
window Lou gasped and edged slowly towards the half-open door. There was the sound of
steps outside and the door suddenly sprang open.
"Paul!" Lou sank against the wall, her face drained of colour.
"Whoa, what's up?" Paul grabbed her and held her up. "What are you doing?"
Lou shrugged him off. "You scared me." She went outside and took a few deep breaths. "I
came to check on Yasmin but she's not here."
Paul yawned. "Yeah well. It looks like the cyclone's moved away."
"Yes but we could still have trouble."
"Of course we do," he said with resignation. "Don't you ever give up?"
Lou started back towards the lodge. "Yasmin's gone now. And so has Clara."
"So Yasmin's gone for a walk and so's Clara. Didn't you tell me she goes every morning
without fail?"
Lou stopped and looked at him.
"See? You're jumping to conclusions," said Paul, as they neared the back of the lodge. He
saw her face fall. He put his arm around her shoulders and marched her towards the kitchen.
"Come on, let's make some coffee for the troops and tell them the good news. They might be
able to leave this beautiful place today and go back to their mad, important lives."
"But I was going to check Arnold's cabin," she halfheartedly protested.
Paul stopped her and looked her in the eye. "Do you really want to face that dickhead after
last night?"
Lou smiled. "Scrambled eggs on toast with bacon?"
Paul rubbed his stomach. "The way to a man's heart"

She was still smiling when they opened the door to the kitchen and saw Clara on the floor,
sweeping up something. Judging from the jacket she had on and the mud on her boots she'd
already finished her morning walk.
"Oh you gave me a fright," said Clara getting to her feet. "Some glass on the floor there."
She turned to Paul. "Do you think you can try the generator again?"
"Well I've got my orders," said Paul. "I'll get cracking. Bit wet out this morning?"

Clara turned and looked down. "Oh I forgot I still had this on." She took off her jacket,
shaking it out on the floor and hanging it up behind the door.
"Okay. Keys?" Paul turned to Lou who tossed the keys to him. "If I can't get it started soon it
won't happen at all." He turned and went out the back door.
Lou started to get out some plates and cutlery for breakfast. Clara went to the cool-room and
came back with some bread and cereal.
"Clara when you were out walking did you happen to see Arnold?" asked Lou. Clara started
to slice the bread. "No I didn't see anyone. Is he missing again?"
Lou looked at Clara standing there with the breadknife in her hand and her heart started
beating faster. "Well I haven't seen him this morning. I can't imagine he would take off again
in the middle of the storm."
"Well maybe he needed to clear his hangover," Clara turned to the bench and started to bring
out pots and pans.
Lou took down the plates and cups and placed them on a tray. "Clara how did you know
Arnold had a hangover? We never said anything about what happened last night."
Clara slowly turned and placed the pans on the bench between them. "Well it was pretty
obvious. A few bottles missing from the lounge. You and Paul looking pissed off. You don't
have to be Einstein to work it out."
"No I guess not," said Lou. She pretended to count the plates on the tray and, trying to sound
casual, asked, "So what time did you get up this morning?"
Clara stopped slicing and sighed. She looked Lou in the eye. "Why?"
"Well I'm just trying to work out when Arnold might have left so we know if we have to get
worried again." Lou started to gather some fruit together.
"Well I went for a walk an hour or so ago and he wasn't about when I got up."
"Okay. Thanks. I might just go and see who's awake and ready for breakfast."
"Sounds like a good idea." Clara didn't look up.

19

Lou tried to shrug off a sick feeling in her stomach after talking with Clara. There was
something she couldn't quite put her finger on. She was still mulling it over when she turned
the handle to the lounge and was surprised to see everyone standing in a group. But they barely
noticed her. Their eyes were fixed on Yasmin who was hysterical.
She turned, saw Lou and raced over to her.
"What did you say? Slow down Yasmin I can't understand a word." Lou tried to listen while
the others gathered around them.
Kylie took command. "Yasmin, pull yourself together." Over the sobbing, she said loudly,
"Yasmin says that Arnold's dead. Again."
"Well I won't be going out in the rain to find another dummy. Not after what he did to us
yesterday," said Nathan.
"Cheers to that mate." Paul had just entered the lounge and was quickly catching up on what
was happening.
Lou looked from one face to another and realized if she was going to set out after Arnold it
would be on her own. She made a decision. "I understand your reluctance but Arnold is one of
my guests, and it is my responsibility to ensure that you are all safe. Come on Yasmin." She
turned and then paused at the door. "Breakfast will be ready shortly for those of you who aren't
coming with me." With that she left.
Paul looked at the others, sighed and shook his head. He followed her out and caught up with
her as they trotted off to Arnold's cabin. "Hey wait up." But Lou powered on. Paul decided for
once to keep quiet and just walked along beside her. In the silence they heard voices behind
them and realized that the Medivalue team had followed them. Paul noticed a small smile on
Lou's face. "You're quite the motivator, aren't you?"
"This way," Lou yelled over her shoulder as she followed Yasmin down the path to Arnold's
cabin, set back from the others near the base of the cliff. As she neared the clearing she pushed
through the surrounding trees to see Yasmin kneeling beside Arnold's body. It was sprawled in
an awkward shape at the bottom of the steps to the cabin. Paul reached the body just as she did.
Lou pulled Yasmin to her feet and tried to comfort her while Paul dragged the body over on to
its back. Arnold's pale white face stared glassily up at them. Paul looked at Lou and shook his
head. "He's dead."
"What?" Kylie had joined them. Ed and Nathan appeared, breathing hard.
"I told you! I told you!" Yasmin screamed at them. Lou turned just in time to catch her as she
collapsed.

20

It seemed to Lou that in the hour or so following the discovery of Arnold's body, she was
working on automatic pilot. Even in death Arnold had a way of dictating her movements. After
arranging for Paul to cover the body and keep everyone away from the area Lou made the
unpleasant call to the Cairns police to let them know that in fact there was now a dead body.
They said they would send their launch and a detective and rescue team as soon as possible.
No sooner had she put down the receiver than the radio crackled into life again. The ferry
captain was calling to say that the ferry had survived the rough seas but he couldn't make the
trip until the following morning to pick up her guests.

Lou returned from the office to find that everyone had departed to their cabins. Suddenly she
was at a loss and wandered from room to room, opening shutters and checking for damage.
She opened the door to the training room to find Kylie sorting through some papers. "Oops,
sorry to disturb you."
"That's fine, no trouble," said Kylie. "I was just collecting my notes."
"I guess there will be a lot of changes now in the company? With Arnold gone I mean," said
Lou. She crossed to the windows and opened the curtains.
"Yes, I hope so," said Kylie. Lou saw her hesitate. "Thank you for all that you've done this
weekend. You have performed above and beyond what could be expected."
"Really? I think that in business the customer always comes first so I just follow that
philosophy."
"Well it shows."
"Thank you." Lou turned to go.
"I hope to make Medivalue the sort of company that has that philosophy."
"You can do that as HR Manager?"
"No, but I can as CEO."
Lou looked puzzled. "I thought Nathan"
"Yes but Nathan doesn't want it. We've already spoken and he is going to support my
nomination to the board. He'll be a great deputy." Kylie snapped her briefcase shut and picked
up her laptop.
"I'm sure," said Lou. She thought quietly herself. Not dead half a day and already they were
dividing up the kingdom. Perhaps Nathan wasn't quite as sincere about his sea-change as he
said.
"I guess it's all worked out for you then," said Lou.
Kylie turned and stared. "What are you suggesting?"

"Nothing, just that with Arnold no longer around, it looks like you have been handed your
dream job."
"I haven't been handed anything. I've worked my way into a position where I'm an obvious
choice for CEO. I would have been chosen even if Arnold was still around. Mrs Strong and the
board were getting sick of Strong's management style. Not to mention his extra curricular
activities."
"Sounds like you know Mrs Strong pretty well." Lou's fishing had worked well on the other
Medivalue staff but Kylie's face remained impassive.
"We women in business have got to stick together, haven't we?" Kylie smiled and picked up
her bags. "For instance, I know that it must have been tough for you trying to start this
business by yourself without investors."
"Yes, it was," said Lou.
"So I know how attractive it would have been to ask Arnold to step in and help out."
"What are you saying?" Lou started to feel her face getting hot under Kylie's stare.
Kylie put her briefcase down on a table and leaned in close. Her voice was low and intimate.
"All I know is that Arnold had a reason for choosing this resort, way out here. I know that he
liked to go into business with young women. And that he could be ruthless when it came to
collecting his benefits."
"Really?" said Lou holding firm under Kylie's stare. "Lucky for me that I don't have Arnold
as a partner then, isn't it?"
"No one has Arnold as a partner anymore, do they?" Kylie smiled. "Someone's done us all a
favour."
Lou frowned. "So you think someone killed him?"
"Whatever happened, I think we can all move on now, can't we?" Kylie straightened and
headed towards the door.
"Thanks again for your hospitality Lou. I'll make sure you receive a bonus for looking after
us this weekend."
"Thank you. And good luck." said Lou, shaking hands. She closed the door when Kylie left,
leaned back against it and sighed. This weekend couldn't finish quick enough for her.

21

"She did it."

David's outburst caught Paul off guard. "Who did what?"
"That HR woman, Kylie. She killed Arnold, didn't she?"
Paul smiled and scratched his chin. "What makes you think it was her?"
"Well she had the motivation. Arnold was going to send her to Darwin and push her out of
the company." David started to warm to his theory. "And she had the opportunity alone in
her cabin all night and she was very strong and ambitious. She had the guts to do it." David
toasted himself triumphantly and sat back.
"Hmm. All good points. She is a woman of action. A for ACTION actually."
David's face fell. "Another letter?"
Paul nodded. "A for action and reflection. There's no point in going through the other stages
if you don't actually make any changes. But you have to systematically go through options and
reflect on the possible outcomes before proceeding. It's about taking responsibility for your
career."
"Just like Kylie did?" David hinted, trying to wheedle out the answer.
"The book's about getting ahead without murdering your boss, mate. Do you think my wife's
suggesting homicide as a career option?"
"All right then, so who did it?"
"Let me finish," said Paul. "We have one letter to go."

Summary
Action and reflection
Now that you've identified who you are and considered the practical aspects of careers, you
can put your current career options, and any that arise unexpectedly in the future, through a
reflective process to check their viability:

Will this option give me job satisfaction?

Will this option lead to more opportunities?

Is it aligned to my values?

Does it utilise my skills and strengths?

Will it meet my financial requirements?

How can I test this option out before making an irrevocable commitment?

22

Just after Sunday lunch, Lou met the police launch. A burly man dressed in blue strode down
the walkway, followed by a figure swamped by an oversized police spray jacket. They reached
Lou and the larger man reached for her hand. "Hello Lou. Been meaning to get out here for
months to look at your place. Sorry it has to be like this." Detective Samuel's hand enveloped
hers in a friendly crush.
"No problems John. I'm sorry to pull you away from town when I'm sure you have enough
going on with the cyclone." Lou squinted into the spray that was being blown over them. "No
air/sea rescue then?"
"Not in this weather. Their safety first you know." He indicated the friendly face peeking out
of the hood of the jacket behind him. "This is Dr Chen. He's going to do the medical exam for
us." Lou reached for a thin hand extending out towards her. "Pleased to meet you. Are you new
to town?" Dr Chen's grip was surprisingly strong and his voice clear. "Yes I am doing a locum
at the coroner's office." He pushed the hood away from his face and shielded his eyes against
the spray. "I always wanted to see this part of the country."
"Well you're not seeing it at its best," said Lou. "I hope you come back in better
circumstances."
Samuel was clearly already getting tired of the small talk and turned back to the boat. "What
the hell is that kid up to now?"
He adjusted his wet weather jacket and cupped his hands around his mouth. "Tie it steady
Davies," he shouted. He received a wave in return from the young man scampering around on
deck. He turned back to Lou. "I don't think you've met young Davies. Only transferred up from
the big smoke a couple of months ago. Got a face only a mother could love but he's willing."
Lou exchanged a smile with Dr Chen. Samuel had a reputation for giving his recruits a hard
time. "The big smoke" was any place with a population of more than twenty thousand.
He stood with legs astride while a young Constable clattered down the ramp, loaded with
gear. Samuel shook his head. "You right Constable? We're not trekking the Amazon you
know."
Constable Davies was obviously keen to make a good impression and had packed enough
equipment for several investigations. He was trying to fit it all in a bulging backpack.
"Yes sir," said Davies as he nearly dropped a camera.
Samuel rolled his eyes at Lou as they set off towards the van and she began to explain the
retrieval of the dummy and then the discovery of the body. Samuel asked few questions but
Lou suspected that he was listening and didn't miss much.
"Looks like you've done well for yourself here Lou," Detective Samuel looked around as the
van pulled up in front of the lodge. "Now I know why your Mother keeps raving on to me

about how proud she is." He stretched as he got out and attempted to button up his jacket in a
losing battle against an expanding stomach.
Lou shook her head. "Sorry you've had to endure that."
"It's a Mother's job to be proud of her kids," Samuel was keeping the conversation light but
he was having a good look around and had seen the cliff-face.
"Is that where the first incident happened?"
Lou came and stood beside him. "Yes. Do you want to look at that now?"
Samuel looked at the heavy purple clouds still hanging around the coast. "No, the body first.
We'll have a look at that later."

They skirted around the lodge and squelched through the grounds to Arnold Strong's cabin.
"You've done a good job Lou," said Detective Samuel noting the tarpaulin covering the body
and the ropes tied efficiently to stakes. "It couldn't have been an easy weekend."
"Not the best I've had," Lou forced a smile.
"What? Not so keen on finding out your guests are dying to leave?" joked Constable Davies.
When he saw Samuel narrow his eyes in his direction he started to quickly photograph the
covered body from different angles.
"Not so keen on potential guests finding out what's been going on," said Lou.
"Well we'll just see what we can do to keep it all low-key shall we?" Detective Samuel had
known Lou since she was fifteen and took an interest. "Dr Chen, lets get started." Despite his
casual air Detective Samuel was serious about his work. The three men methodically checked
the scene before uncovering the body. Dr Chen knelt down at the edge of the tarpaulin and
started his examination. Lou stood back giving them plenty of room.
Samuel spotted Lou watching. "We could all do with a cuppa to keep out this cold."
Lou nodded. "Of course. Sorry. Tea all round?"
Davies looked from his camera and smiled. "Coffee please." Chen was absorbed in his task
and didn't hear her. Samuel answered for him. "Tea. We'll be done soon and then we'll wrap it
up and move the body to the coolroom while we chat to everyone. Can you arrange that for
us?"
"Certainly." Feeling as if she had been politely but efficiently dismissed, Lou headed back to
the lodge.

She returned half an hour later, carrying a tray full of steaming mugs and some brick-sized
brownies. She hadn't really meant to eavesdrop but just as she approached the group she
overheard Dr Chen. "I'd say between three and five A.M. this morning but being outside in this
weather it's hard to be more accurate."
Samuel was crouching over Chen and the body. "And it was instant?"
"Oh no, it would have taken a few minutes for him to drown."
Samuel stood up quickly. "Drown?"

Chen also got to his feet. "Well I have to do a proper examination but falling down the stairs
and the blow to the head wouldn't have been fatal. It was landing face-first in this puddle of
water that made the difference."
"Well I'll be." Samuel shook his head and looked around, spotting Lou and waving her
forward.
Samuel took the mug of tea gratefully and paused until after he had a couple of deep sips.
"Thanks love. That hits the spot."
Constable Davies reappeared, having presumably photographed the inside of the cabin. He
grabbed a brownie and swallowed it in two enormous bites and then reached for a second.
Samuel raised an eyebrow and Lou smiled. "Good appetite."
"What's that Constable?" Samuel pointed at the plastic bag hanging out of Davies' evidence
bag.
Davies quickly swallowed the brownie and brushed the crumbs from his hands. He pulled a
couple of bags out and held them up. "Some pills in his bathroom lids off, contents spilled
and several bottles of alcohol. Looks to me like Mr Strong had been mixing his medications
and his drinks, sir." Davies fairly bristled trying to impress.
Lou tried to look at the bottles without appearing too obvious. They looked like the same
bottles she had seen in Yasmin's cabin. "You found them in there? In the bathroom?" she asked
Davies.
"No the bedroom."
Samuel looked at her closely. "Something wrong?"
Thoughts flashed through her mind in a second. What was the probity of her looking through
Yasmin's bathroom earlier? And how could she be sure that they were the same bottles? That
would mean that Yasmin had somehow slipped the bottles back into the cabin in the last few
hours after the discovery of Arnold's body. Lou bit her lip. She thought Yasmin was huddled in
her cabin, recovering from the shock. Maybe it hadn't been such a shock after all?
She realized that Samuel and Davies were staring at her, waiting for a reply.
"No, all's well. I am just surprised. He came across as such a fitness freak."
"Older man trying to regain his youth," joked Davies. He quickly shut up when he saw
Samuel give him a withering look. "Not every older man wants to be a young idiot again
Davies."
"No sir." Davies back pedaled at lightning speed and picked up his gear. "I'll keep walking
the perimeter will I?"
With a nod from Samuel he set off round the cabin, bumping into Paul who appeared around
the corner.
"Sorry mate," said Paul heading towards the group.
Samuel stood up straighter and placed his hands on his hips. "Handy? What are you doing
here?"
Paul ambled over to Samuel but stood a few paces away. "Oh you know Sarge. A bad penny
me. Always showing up when you least expect it."
"I know that you always seem to show up where there's trouble. And I'm a Detective now."
Samuel wasn't backing down.

"Have we got trouble then?" Paul looked over a Lou with mock seriousness. "I thought we
just had some drunken idiot falling down some steps in the middle of a storm. Sarge."
The two men stood eyeballing each other, waiting for the other to blink. Lou stood back
watching the two roosters marking their territory. Any other time it might have been amusing
to watch but it had been a tough couple of days and she had no patience for the testosterone
being whipped up by the cyclone. Although she was curious to find out more about Paul's
reputation, she was saved from further speculation by the sound of Dr Chen snapping shut the
lid of his examination kit. The sound seemed to jolt Samuel back to his surroundings and he
turned away from Paul. "Just keep out of my investigation Handy, that's all."
Paul saluted sharply and winked at Lou before marching off back to the lodge. She shook her
head at him and frowned.
Dr Chen stood up from where he had been concentrating on the body. He tugged off a pair of
plastic gloves and reached for his tea. "Thank you."
Lou was reminded of something.
Lou addressed her question to Samuel. "I forgot to ask, did you manage to reach his wife?"
"Yeah a couple of hours ago. She ah," he looked at Chen, "she took it rather well let's say.
Didn't seem particularly upset or surprised. She seemed to think that the business weekend was
just an excuse to cheat on her." Samuel looked at Lou. "Do you think she was right?"
Lou leaned back with her arms crossed. "Let's just say I don't think she was too far off the
mark."
"Well she gave us the name of a funeral home to have the body sent to."
Lou raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like she was very organized."
"Yes she was."
He smiled. "Okay now lets interview everyone shall we?" He turned to Chen. "Can we leave
you with this or do you want to sit in?"
"I might need a hand to wrap and transfer to the coolroom."
"Okay get Davies to give you a hand while I set up inside," said Samuel.
"I'll get Clara to show you the coolroom," said Lou as she collected the mugs and picked up
the tray.
"Righto then," said Samuel. "Lead on Macduff."

23

Lou had warned everyone that they would be needed and all the guests and staff had gathered
in the lounge. One by one everyone entered Lou's office and then came out, looking wary but
relieved. Finally, as it was nearing dusk, it was her turn. Detective Samuel sat behind the desk
with Davies by the window, a tape recorder and notebook by his side. They looked like they
were looking forward to the end of what had been a long day. They started with a few routine
questions and she answered as truthfully and factually as she could.
"Well that seems to wrap it up then. Death by misadventure if I'm not mistaken, but we'll
have to wait and see what the coroner says." Samuel eased back in his chair and Davies turned
off the tape recorder and started to shuffle his papers together.
Lou didn't realize it but she sighed aloud.
Samuel looked at Lou. "Is there something else?"
Lou wondered whether she should say anything. She only had a theory and in the tough light
of day it all seemed a bit silly somehow. But.
She placed her hands on her knees and looked straight ahead at Samuel. "Well I just
wondered if he could have been pushed. If it wasn't an accident," Lou looked from one
impassive face to the other, trying to gauge their reaction.
Samuel leaned forward over the desk. His voice was low and expressionless. "And what
makes you think that?"
"Well, he was obviously hated by all his staff," she began.
"Yes I think we worked that out. Go on."
"And they all had a reason to want him dead. And Arnold was alone last night. Anyone could
have slipped out of the lodge or their cabin." The sentences came out more quickly than she
would have liked. Lou licked her lips.
Samuel leaned back and looked at his notes. "You and Mr Handy and the chef were in the
lounge, and Ms Perfect, Ms Humann, Mr Senior and Mr Clearview were in their cabins."
Lou nodded.
"And you think that someone snuck out in the middle of a cyclone, got Mr Strong outside his
cabin and then gave him a push."
"Well when you put it like that it does sound a little paranoid but I just have this feeling"
Her voice trailed off and she looked into Samuel's eyes and saw what was reflected there. He
was looking at her with pity. God, he thought she was nuts!
"It's been a tough couple of days for you here. I can understand your reasoning," said Samuel
in a voice which suggested that he didn't think she was being reasonable at all. He continued to
pack up his notes. "Why don't we just wait and see what the coroner thinks, okay?" The police
both stood up and put on their jackets. "Now how about a drink before you drive us back to the
boat?"

24

"I'm getting used to spending time in this shed in the dark with you. It's almost like we've got
our own song." Less than an hour after the police had left, the power had gone out again, and
Paul and Lou were back at the utilities shed.
"You're crazy," Lou laughed.
"Yes I am," said Paul. "But at least I'm not the one running around trying to prove one of my
guests is a murderer." Paul saw Lou's face cloud over. "Okay Sherlock, what makes you so
sure?"
"Well all of them had a motive." Lou ticked them off on her fingers. "Kylie because she was
being demoted and sent off to Darwin, Nathan because Arnold was making his life a misery,
Yasmin because she found out that Arnold wasn't leaving his wife and Ed because he was
going to get the sack."
Yeah. All reasons to hate him, but to kill him?" Paul shook his head. "Sounds pretty farfetched to me."
"They all had motive and they all had opportunity. Everyone was in their own cabin last
night alone!"
"Except for you and me unfortunately," muttered Paul.
"Sorry?"
"I said there's no more I can do tonight. Another dinner by candlelight I'm afraid."
"Damn."
"Sorry." Paul began putting his tools away.
"No, it's fine, it's not your fault. You've been great." Lou sighed. "We'd better get back and
break the bad news. Luckily the stove runs on gas so we'll at least have something hot to eat."
"Yeah." Paul looked thoughtful as he zipped up his coat. "You know there is one thing about
this whole Strong thing."
"What's that?"
"You're assuming that someone killed him, but what if he just decided to take some pills and
end his miserable existence? He underestimated the effect they'd have on him and he changed
his mind. Tried to get to the lodge in the dark but just fell down the steps."
"Strong's not the suicidal type." Lou was emphatic.
Paul stood up and stretched his creaking knees. "You seem sure about that. How do you
know?"
Lou paused for a few seconds before replying.
"You're right. I don't." Lou turned away from Paul. "Ready?"
"Just a minute. I don't know whether I should show you this but it seems like you're
determined, so..." Paul fished around in his pocket and pulled out some twisted fishing line.
"What's that?" Lou took it out of his hands.

Paul leaned back against the wall, taking the time to choose his words carefully. "I found it
in the garden near Arnold's body."
Lou looked at him quizzically. "And?"
"You disappoint me. A top notch detective like you." Paul sighed. If you look at the bottom
of the railing at the top of the steps, you'll notice a little bit of paint has been chipped away."
"As if a piece of fishing line has been tied around the posts..."
"To create a trip wire yes."
Paul looked at Lou's widening eyes. "So someone tied it last night, waited at the bottom of
the steps, called Arnold out and then watched him fall and drown"
"Or helped him drown by holding down his face in the water. And then cut away the line but
accidentally dropped it."
Lou stood in silence twisting the line around her hand.
"But of course, it could also be some random piece of fishing line that blew into the garden
from, well, anywhere, considering the weather," said Paul.
Lou sighed. "So what do we do now?"
"That's up to you, Sherlock. I'm just your faithful Dr Watson."
"The police already think I'm barmy."
"Hmmmm," Paul smiled and nodded.
"So if this really is a trip wire, then who could have done it?" said Lou.
"My money's on Yasmin. Always be wary of a woman scorned."
Lou gave him a withering look. "That's so helpful."
Paul stood straight and stretched. "Maybe they all did it. They all hated him as you said. I
suggest we get back to the nest of murderers and have a strong drink."
"The nest?"
"Well what is the collective noun for a group of murderers? A flock? A herd?"
Lou laughed and joined in. "A chorus? No we shouldn't laugh."
"No we shouldn't." They looked at each other for a moment in silence and then burst out
laughing again.
Lou tried to open the door but a gust of wind slammed it shut.
"Here let me." Paul leaned over her to grab the door but was still for a moment. "Listen," he
whispered into her hair.
"What?" Lou turned towards him and their faces were suddenly only a few inches apart. She
felt his breath on her face. Her hand was on his chest and she felt the pounding of his heart.
Paul spoke slowly. "There's only you and me and the wind. We're alone and all the problems
of this weekend are on the other side of the door." He started to slip his arms down her back
and hold her close. "Let's just stay here for a little while longer."
"From what Detective Samuel was saying, I might not be safe in here with you. He thinks
you're trouble."
Paul squeezed her a little tighter. "I am. I need reforming. Do you want the job?"
His fingers started to trace around the edge of her face.

Lou looked up into his eyes. She realized for the first time that his eyes were sea green, deep
and soft. "And how do I know whether to trust you?"
Paul smiled. "You're the detective. I'm sure you'll work it out." He leaned towards her and
she closed her eyes. The world outside the door could wait.

25

The gas stove was working so Clara was able to serve up a delicious final dinner for the guests,
and Lou brought out some of her best wines. But the bubble had burst; the group had all left
for their cabins by nine o'clock. Lou was going to stay up but by ten she, too, had gone back to
her cabin and fallen into a deep, dreamless sleep.

After breakfast the next morning, the Medivalue team wasted no time in gathering outside the
front of the lodge. Lou started to load her guests into the van and Paul helped with the bags.
Clara came out with a box of bottled water and some bulging brown paper bags. "Lunch for
the trip," she said, handing them to Lou.
"Thanks Clara. Do we have your famous szechuan pepper chicken, rocket and swiss cheese
sesame rolls?"
Clara grinned and nodded.
"Your chicken. Yes your szechuan chicken. That's what you were famous for, wasn't it?" The
question came out of the blue. Yasmin stepped up to Lou and Clara and smiled. "Arnold took
me to this restaurant in Sydney that he owned and you were the chef weren't you?" Lou
glanced at Clara who had a look of what? Fear? Anger? She couldn't make it out. Yasmin
stood there looking at Clara and smiling. "I liked your chicken very much," she said a little
uncertainly when she saw Clara's stormy face.
"Yes thanks," said Clara and turned away to go.
Yasmin babbled on, a little puzzled now about Clara's reaction. "I didn't think it was fair,
what Arnold did to you." Clara stopped and turned around.
"What did Arnold do?" asked Lou, looking at Clara's hands clenching and unclenching.
"Well basically took over the restaurant, and then," Yasmin hesitated.
"Go on," said Clara taking a step forward. "You were going to say he screwed me out of my
business, sacked me and left me broke, with my reputation in ruins."
"Well, yes," said Yasmin, lowering her eyes. "I am sorry. I know that later on he regretted
what happened."
"Yeah I'm sure it kept him awake nights," said Clara and turned and stalked away.
"Well he put in a word to get you the job here, didn't he?"
Clara didn't reply.

Yasmin turned to Lou and shrugged. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset her. I just suddenly
remembered where I'd seen her before."
Lou steered her towards the van where Paul was standing with the door open. He had heard
the exchange and raised his eyebrows at her. "Don't worry about it. We're all a bit frazzled at
the present." Lou glanced back at Clara and saw her disappear behind the lodge.
Lou climbed into the driver's seat. "Are we all strapped in?"
With smiles and nods all round Lou put the van into drive and set off for the jetty.
Thirty minutes later she and Paul were gladly waving her charges good-bye.
"The water's still pretty rough. Some of them are going to be re-visiting their breakfasts,"
said Paul, with some pleasure.
Lou ignored his comment. She couldn't help saying what she had been thinking. "So now do
you think I'm crazy?"
Paul looked at her out of the corner of his eye. "Barking."
Lou turned to face him, her hands on her hips. "Clara has a motive. I don't know what she
told the police but I'm sure she wouldn't have told them that she knew Strong."
"Well look at it this way," said Paul grabbing her shoulders and steering her back to the van,
"you can radio the police and tell them about your suspicions."
Lou remembered the look of pity on Detective Samuel's face and shook her head. "No way."
He held open the driver's door for her and graciously helped her in. "Or you can believe that
Arnold Strong was a nut, who went walking in the middle of a cyclone because he was so full
of testosterone and whiskey that he managed to fall down some slippery steps and land in a
puddle." Paul walked around to the other side and climbed in. "Or you can believe that you
have a murderer on your staff, who has access to a lot of very sharp kitchen knives and who
bears grudges against her former employers."
"That's not funny," said Lou she turned the ignition.
"It's a little bit funny," said Paul. "What would be funny is if the police find that several
plump backpackers have disappeared in the area, and tonight Clara decides to serve us
mmmm Chilli con carne with extra spices from the fresh meat that has suddenly appeared in
the freezer.
Lou started to laugh. "No. I'm not listening."
"She's got very powerful arms. She could easily chop up a few limbs. Maybe tomorrow night
we'll have spare ribs? Liver and onions?"
Lou's laughter could be heard over the roar of the van as they headed back to the Edge.

Postscript
Twelve months after the incident, the coroner finally determined that Arnold Strong's death
had been an accident, due to his impaired judgment from excessive alcohol and medication, as
verified by many witnesses. Kylie was promoted to CEO and successfully negotiated the deal
with the company's Chinese buyers. Nathan and his wife had a baby girl and they moved to
Townsville, where Nathan took over the running of a small charter boat company taking trips

to Magnetic Island and the reef. Yasmin started working in the HR department of Medivalue
and is doing so well that Kylie is keeping her in mind for future promotions. Ed resigned, as he
said he would, and has moved to Tasmania to be near his daughters and their children. He
works a few days a week in a small hotel near the Salamanca markets.
Paul insists on volunteering for all of the maintenance call-outs to the Edge. He and Lou are
happily in a relationship and as soon as he can work up the nerve, he's going to ask her to
marry him. Lou negotiated with Kylie to buy out Medivalue's share in the Edge and has sworn
never again to have another business partner. Clara left the Edge several months ago after
receiving a job offer in Townsville at a new three star restaurant. She plans to turn it into four
stars. In light of all that had happened, Lou wrote her an excellent reference and gave her a
bonus.

26

"So there you have it." Paul sat back and started looking around the lounge. There appeared to
be a general stirring amongst their fellow travellers.
"Have what?" David was leaning forward. "You still haven't told me who did it."
"Well, the coroner ruled death by misadventure."
"Yes, but." David looked around trying to get a grip on what he had been told. "But are
you saying that Arnold wasn't murdered? Haven't you got anything else you can tell me?"
Paul looked back at him impassively. "Now that I think of it, I do have a final piece of the
puzzle." Paul paused for effect. "R."
"Are what?"
"No, R. R for RESULTS."
David sat back and shook his head. "You're talking about my career again."
"Of course. The last few hours will have meant nothing if you don't plan for the results you
want, take action to get them and then make sure you set up a system to make sure you don't
ever get yourself in the same situation again."
"And what situation is that?"
Paul leaned forward and spoke quietly. "The situation where you are so miserable in your
current job that you nearly start sobbing into your beer to some stranger in a transit lounge."
There was a moment when David caught Paul's gaze. What he had heard in the last few
hours certainly gave him food for thought he had a lot of reflecting to do. How had this
badly-dressed yobbo managed to change his whole approach to his future? He smiled and
offered his hand. "All I can say is I'm glad I met the right stranger. You wouldn't have a free
copy of your book for a mate, would you?"
Paul grabbed his hand and shook it hard. "Wouldn't do it for just anyone" They both
laughed.
"What's so funny?" The voice was warm and curious, and unmistakably female. David
looked up to see a smartly dressed, thirty-something woman smiling down at them. Something

about the way she rested her arm on Paul's shoulder told him who it was. He stood a little
unsteadily and offered his hand. "You must be Lou."
"Yes, I am," she shook his hand and frowned at Paul. "Have you been giving away free
copies again?" She took in the empty bottles on the table in front of them with a raised
eyebrow.
Paul stood up quickly and offered her a seat, taking the duty-free bags she was carrying. "I've
been telling young David here about your book, and the weekend we met." Lou settled herself
on the couch and signaled for the men to sit down. "I thought I told you that you had to stop
torturing business executives with our stories."
Paul grinned. "But it's my only form of recreation when the footy season's over."
Lou looked over at David's puzzled face and smiled. "Don't mind us, David. We can go on
like this for hours. Paul likes to pretend that he's ignorant about business and that I wrote the
book entirely on my own, but the truth is he's quite astute and insightful when he wants to be."
Paul looked over and winked at David. "See, mate, now you know why I married her."
Lou put her hand on his knee. "I'm sure you were just about to get your poor shop-weary
wife a drink?"
"Yes, dear." Paul rolled his eyes, stood up and headed for the bar.
Lou turned her attentions to David. "I hope Paul hasn't been boring you too much."
"No, not at all," David said. "In fact, he has been offering me some great advice about my
career, based on your book. He told me about how you met, and the cyclone and the murder,
well, I still don't know if it was a murder." He glanced sideways at Lou "I don't suppose
you'd care to tell me what you think happened?"
Lou played with the edge of her jacket. "What happened is that after that weekend, I sat back
and rehashed the events so many times that certain themes started to emerge for me. I realized
that all of our guests were struggling with their careers, even if they didn't know it. And part of
that resulted in what happened to Arnold." Lou chose her words carefully. "I'm not suggesting
that if you don't take control of your career you'll end up dead but," her eyes scanned the room,
"you will certainly be unhappy and you will affect the people around you in lots of different
ways."
"And so then you decided to write a book about it?"
"About my theory, yes."
"SEEFAR," said David.
Lou looked surprised. "I see Paul has been giving you the full story."
David chuckled, "I suspect that once your husband has decided to give someone the full
treatment there's not much that can stop him."
""Did I hear my name mentioned?" Paul's voice cut through their laughter. "A glass of red
wine, my dear."
"Thank you." Lou patted the seat next to her. "David has been telling me all about
SEEFAR."
Paul collapsed next to Lou and put his arm along the seat behind her. "I'm a pretty good
salesman, aren't I? Just give me a little bit more time and a few more delayed flights and I'll
make a fortune for you"
Lou rejoined, "Not if you give them all away!"

Lou pointed at the flight information screen. "Sorry, no more delayed flights for us. It looks
like we're finally boarding."
She quickly polished off the rest of her wine; they gathered their things and started to head
off towards the departure gate.
"You must look us up the next time you're in Cairns, mate," said Paul.
"I certainly will," said David. "And maybe over a few more beers you might tell me what
really happened to that CEO?"
Paul put his arm around Lou's shoulder and she smiled up at him. "I could tell you, mate, but
then I'd have to kill you." Paul slapped him on the back and then put his arm around Lou's
shoulders as she smiled up at him. They turned and headed down the gangway. David started
to laugh and then stopped. Something Paul had said during the weekend suddenly clicked. He
let out a low whistle. "Holy cow!" He just had to ask. "Hey, wait a minute."

Summary
Results

What short-term key actions in the next one to two years do you need to take to actively
manage your career and develop or maintain job satisfaction and employability?

On reflection, what is your mid-term direction?

What are your long-term aspirations?

Using SEEFAR

Career management is a process best undertaken with the assistance of an experienced career
coach, who is able to explore, investigate and analyse the results of each activity, and who can
identify themes and assist with the development of a personal strategy to achieve results.
However, it is possible to complete the activities under each section of SEEFAR yourself and
use them to develop your own personal career strategy. To make this easier, in Part Three we
have provided case studies, referencing the results of these activities undertaken by the
Medivalue team. Perhaps you'll identify with some of their issues. (Refer to the table in Part
Three for a summary of career issues by character).

Career Management Strategy One

Self-understanding and Identity

Why devote time and energy to managing your career? Two simple reasons: to maintain or
improve your job satisfaction and to increase your employability.

Exercise 1A: Job satisfaction

Begin by rating your level of job satisfaction in your current/most recent role, for example,
how you feel about your job in terms of enjoyment, satisfaction and level of happiness.

Think about the reasons behind your rating. Maybe you like the task content of your role, but
you find the environment you work in unpleasant. Perhaps you value the professional and
skills development opportunities, but you don't like your boss.
Think about the following factors and allocate each as either a positive, negative or neutral
contributor to your job-satisfaction rating.

Task content how you spend your day

Environment, for example, where you work, physical conditions

Culture, for example, the people you work with, their values and behaviours

Your boss

Development opportunities

Work/life balance, for example, the hours you work, flexibility

Any other factors you think contributed to your rating.

Exercise 1B: Employability

Rate your own assessment of your current level of employability, for example, your level of
skills and the degree to which they are in demand and marketable. If you could not do
tomorrow what you do today, say through job loss or injury, how quickly could you reposition
yourself in a satisfactory new role?

If you are not sure how employable you are, find out now by following the process below:
1. Scan the internet for the roles that require your skills and qualifications. Are those roles
commanding a salary package in line with your financial objectives?
2. Make an appointment with a recruitment agency or head hunter to discuss your marketability.
3. Contact professional bodies in your industry or sector and obtain advice on current areas of
demand within your profession.

Exercise 1C: Satisfaction/employability matrix

Now that you've rated both criteria job satisfaction and employability look at the
following matrix to determine where you are located.
Plot your Job Satisfaction axis against the Employability axis and draw a cross at the
intersection of the two lines to see which quadrant you are currently positioned in.

Maintenance Congratulations! You are in the fortunate position of having a satisfying role
and high level of employability. Your focus will be on maintaining this in the future.
Investigation You enjoy your job, but should you be unable to continue in that role, you
may experience difficulty sourcing another. Your focus will be on investigating other options
a contingency plan!

Exploration You are highly employable, suggesting you are very experienced and
qualified in your role. However, you no longer derive enjoyment from what you do. Your
focus will be to explore other options that will increase your job satisfaction.
Call to Action You don't enjoy what you do, and you cannot easily source another role.
Read on without delay!

Exercise 1D: Other factors to consider

Are there any other factors that might impact on your career choices?

Health If you have health problems it's vital that you address them and factor in any
required changes to your work life into your personal career strategy.

Family/relationships
Notes
Factors that I have identified are:

People close to you your partner, children, parents, friends have an impact on your life,
and therefore, your career choices. As you work through this process, we encourage you to
discuss the results of each phase with the important person/people in your life. What are their
needs and wants and how do they affect your career options and decisions?

Exercise 1E: Career review

Reviewing your career history is important to any career-planning exercise. Understanding
where you've come from and revisiting your employment history builds a platform to examine
your future career.
Review your current resume. If you haven't got a resume or kept it up-to-date, jot down the
jobs that you've had in sequence from last to first.

Reflect on your past career positions. What were the reasons you chose your current profession
or area of work?

Did you make a clear choice or simply fall into a job or course of study because it was easy
and available?

How much influence did your parents or other people close to you have on that decision?

If you've had more than one job, what prompted you to make the change each time?

Exercise 1F: Career options

We all have thoughts and ideas about our future. Some of these options may seem unrealistic
or dreamlike; some might be in new fields or involve self-employment; others might be with
your current employer if you are happy where you are and would like to maintain your
positioning. It's likely some of these options will develop into immediately achievable shortterm goals; others may be more relevant to a mid- to long-term plan; and others may be
eliminated as "not right for me". Whatever the case, it is important to put these ideas down on
paper so that they can be explored in more detail throughout the planning process.
Jot down all your current career options, including everything that you've thought about, no
matter how crazy and unrealistic it might seem.

Improve your self-understanding of your identity by considering the following areas:

Exercise 1G: Values

Values are those ideals and beliefs that you care deeply about.

They are indicated in your goals, attitudes, interests, feelings, activities and behaviour, and
define what is important to you what gives meaning to your life?

They form the basis on which you make choices and decisions about what you will and will
not do, and therefore, are important to your career decisions.
Each of us has developed a unique system of values that determines how we feel about our
work and the contribution it makes to society. Extensive research has found that individuals
who pursue work that is congruent with their values feel satisfied and successful in their
careers. If you choose to pursue a career in an organisation with requirements or culture that
are at odds with your values, you will not be happy with the choice. Being in such a position
can result in discontent, sickness, depression, anger and a sense of disappointment. Relating
your values to your work decisions and choices helps you determine your reasons for wanting
to work, the characteristics of occupations that are appealing to you and your career goals.
The first table below is a list of values that relate to career choices. Select 10 values that are
most important to you and number them in order of importance on a scale of 1 through 10,
with 1 being the most important value and 10 the least important.
Use the second table to think about your work and how you currently live your values.
Which values are met by your current work situation? For example, if you chose autonomy,
and you are currently being micro-managed by a boss who won't let you make any decisions,
then that value is not being met.

Exercise 1H: Task analysis

List all the tasks and functions that are part of your current role and identify the proportion of
your time spent doing them (Note: Things you dislike doing, even if they are things you are
good at, should not comprise more than ten percent of your work time.)

Exercise 1L: Skills development

Think about your top five current skills, for example, problem solving, coaching, analysing,
and list them below. Now think about the skills you would like to develop in the future and list
them to be developed.

Exercise 1J: Resum

Update your resum with new qualifications, professional development, skills and current
achievements. If you don't have a resum, consider using some of the free online services to
develop one or engage the services of a career coach.

Exercise 1K: Personality preferences

Personality profiles add value to the assessment phase of a career strategy in determining your
fit with your work environment.
If you have undertaken leadership or personality profiling, review your profiles and note
down your strong preferences and motivators.

If you have not had this experience, consider undertaking some profiling. For more
information on personality profiles and their role in career management, speak to your HR
manager or local career coach.

To access professional career coaches to assist with the activities in this section contact the
Career Development Association of Australia at www.cdaa.org.au.

Summary
If you've completed all or some of the above exercises, you've improved your level of selfunderstanding of your identity. You can reference these results as you start to develop your
own personal career strategy.

Career Management Strategy Two

External Image

While self-assessment is an important part of career management, understanding how others

perceive us and developing a good, professional reputation in line with our career goals is
essential.

Exercise 2A: What is your reputation?

Respond to and reflect on the following questions:
How do you believe you are currently perceived by people with whom you work closely?
How would others describe you?

How have you gained this impression, for example, informal career discussions, performance
reviews, 360-degree feedback?

Do key people in your industry know you? If so, what do you believe your reputation is in the
marketplace?

Exercise 2B: Creating the right impression

The next exercise is designed to compare your answers to the above questions with feedback
from others. Contact at least two people for example, referees, mentors, colleagues,
supervisors and ask for feedback to these questions. Explain that the information is to help
you develop a personal-career strategy. We recommend meeting face-to-face, if possible.
Encourage the person responding to be as honest as possible.

Note: Undertake this exercise only when you are in a frame of mind to be open to feedback.
If others perceive you to be defensive, they will not be able to give you honest feedback.
Person

giving

feedback:

.............................................

Date: .................................
What do you believe are my greatest strengths?

What areas could I be doing more to develop?

What is my reputation? How am I regarded in this organisation/industry?

After the discussion: Does this feedback match your self-perception of your skills, abilities and
reputation?

Exercise 2C: How well networked are you?

Consider the following strategies to manage networking contacts:
1. Do you have a spreadsheet of your contacts both professionally and personally? If so,
now is a good time to review and update your list. You should include:

Name:

Title:

Company:

Contact details:

Interests/things in common/personal details:

Last meeting:

Follow-up actions:
2. Consider the professional memberships you have:

Are they working effectively for you?

Are they allowing you to regularly meet new people and foster ongoing relationships within
your profession and outside of your organisation?

3. Set a realistic plan that fits your schedule, to regularly increase your network for
example, arrange one networking function per month and one coffee meeting per month with a
professional colleague.

Summary
If you've completed all or some of the above exercises, you've improved your level of
understanding about your external image and reputation and begun to consider how you can
build effective networks of professional relationships. You can reference these results as you
start to develop your own personal career strategy.

Career Management Strategy Three

Environment

An effective career strategy is to always be aware of trends that might impact on your choices.

Exercise 3A: Environment

Think about the realities of the marketplace and carry out some analysis to ensure that you are
factoring these important and practical areas into your personal career strategy. For example,
futurist Phil Ruthven predicts that careers will be supplanted by contractual "seasons" for
individuals, with outsourcing by corporations a continuing trend.

The pace of technological and social change means that work skills are made redundant at
increasingly fast rates It seems reasonable to deduce that in the next 25 years, up to 70
percent of all job categories are likely to change. Of this percentage, half of the existing job
categories will disappear; the other half will consist of new jobs that do not yet exist Success
in the future will depend on remaining adaptable, having many job changes and even career
changes in our working lives, being as broadly educated as possible, and committing ourselves
to continuous life-long learning.
(Peter Ellyard, Australian futurist and strategist, 2001.)
Take a moment to consider the effect on your career of globalisation, technology, economy
and politics on your career. Write down what you feel might be the most influential effect/s on
your career.

Exercise 3B: Past or present organisation

Is your organisation viable, for example, is your organisation a good fit for you? Does it:

support research and development,

exhibit growth potential,

promote learning culture,

share wealth with employees,

value open communication,

share authority?

Exercise 3C: Profession/occupation

Is your profession core or secondary to your organisation? For example, is it a front-office
role, such as sales or customer service, or a back-office function, such as IT, HR or finance?

Exercise 3D: Local marketplace issues

Note any local marketplace issues for you. For example, if you are committed to living in a
certain area, what does the employment landscape look like? Are there major employers,
growth industries, etc.?

Exercise 3E: Industry

What is your assessment of your industry currently, for example, when considering global and
local competition, regulatory impact, expanding products and services?

Other industries
If you are considering a change to another industry, refer to the list below and tick which
industries you'd like to research further.

Predicted future growth industries

Career Management Strategy Four

Financial Objectives

Current financial position

How much money do you need to meet your current financial commitments? For example,
home, insurance, motor vehicle and living costs? If you don't know, consider carrying out an
analysis of your financial position. For example, if you decided that you want to make a career
change, this may involve taking a reduction in salary for a period of time. Alternatively, if you
are looking at self-employment options, this may involve a period of low or no income while
establishing your business.

Exercise 4A: Financial analysis

Analyse the results of your financial budget, involving your partner, if applicable. How long
can you afford to be out of work, for example, in the case of pregnancy, redundancy, full-time
study leave? Consider the best case/worse case scenario:

When do you plan to retire? How much money will you need to maintain an acceptable
lifestyle?

Do you have a financial planner? If not, consider whether a good planner can add value to your
financial wellbeing?

For a list of reputable financial planners please go to the Financial Planning Association of
Australia www.fpa.asn.au

Career Management Strategy Five

Action and Reflection

Exercise 5A
In the Career Summary section below, note the ratings and findings you identified in career
management strategies one to four (see overleaf).

Reconsider the career options you identified in Career Management Strategy One. How do
they fit in the context of your results summary? For example, one option might be an obvious
fit with the skills you have now and those that you want to develop further; another option may
not be viable in the short to medium term based on your environmental scan. Identify which
options you want to develop further and whether any additional research or analysis is
required.

Chaos theory
Occasionally a new career or job opportunity may come "out of the blue", for example, a
friend might offer us a job or invite us to venture into a new business, or our current employer
might offer us a new project role. If this happens, Options Viability Analysis Table can
form part of our decision making process.

Career Management Strategy Six

Results

Now it is time to bring your career management strategies together and identify your next
steps.
In a table similar to below, note down your short-term actions, mid-term directions and longterm aspirations. Remember these are not set in concrete, but the activity of writing down your
thoughts will help you clarify and commit them to action. Keep this sheet in your drawer at
work or any place where you will be forced to look at it regularly.
Review it at least every six months when a major change is expected or takes place,
affecting your career and life in general.
Remember, it is your career. Take control and be happy!

Character Analysis

The SEEFAR methodology has been designed to be user friendly and logically progressive to
help you to develop a meaningful, practical and actionable career strategy. To make it easier to
implement we have illustrated how the characters in the story Walking Close to the Edge used

the methodology to more effectively manage their careers. We hope that reading about their
journey will help you to do the same.

Paul Handy

Paul viewed himself as having just a job versus a career, and he was initially sceptical of the
career management process until Lou convinced him to give it a go. Paul grew up in the Yarra
Valley, in Victoria, where his father managed a major winery in the region. Paul left school at
sixteen and started an electrical apprenticeship, after one of his fathers mates offered to
sponsor him. After qualifying, he married his childhood sweetheart and worked for five years
with various small regional electricians. His marriage broke up, and he moved to Melbourne to
make a fresh start, where he worked for a manufacturing company for four years.
When Paul turned thirty, he left Melbourne to travel around Australia for a year, ending up in
Central Queensland, where he took a well-paid job in the mines. After six years, Paul had
enough money saved to move to the North Queensland coast. He purchased a modest beach
cottage with spectacular views and set up his own business, but he struggled to price his
services effectively and to recruit and manage a team of electricians. Then, prompted by some
poor financial management, including a large unpaid tax bill, Paul decided to scale back his
business and contract as a sole trader.
He met Bob Sandbourne of Sandys Handyman Services at a regional football game and
approached him about some electrical and general handyman work. Bob was keen to reduce
his current workload, and with a view to retiring in five years time, he engaged Paul on an as
needs basis (average of thirty-five hours a week), negotiating an hourly rate.
To date, the arrangement has worked well: Pauls technical capability has been maximised,
while giving him the flexibility he sought, and Bob has been able to allocate more time to
manage the workload and increase the profitability of his business.

Career Options
1. Continue working for Bob Sandbourne as a contractor
2. Attempt to re-establish his own business

Paul acknowledged that, after a difficult few years as a result of leaving the security of a wellpaid job and struggling to establish his own business, he was very happy with his current work

situation. The problems he experienced in running his own business started to make sense
when he considered his skills set and personality preferences. Asking Bob and a couple of his
old customers what they thought of him, Paul was pleased they praised his trade skills and his
friendly, laid-back approach. As expected, they indicated his time management was poor; he
was often late for jobs.
Paul discussed his results with Lou. She was keen for him to spend more time at The Edge,
but acknowledged Paul wanted to maintain a level of flexibility and independence in the early
stages of their relationship.
Paul identified three short-term goals:
1. Focus on improving his reliability. While time management wasn't one of his strengths, he
didn't want to be regarded as "slack" and "unreliable". Paul bought a work diary and started to
review his day and week in detail. Lou bought him a new watch that kept accurate time. In his
personal time, Paul ensured he had flexibility and wasn't tied down by too many plans and
deadlines.
2. Maintain his trade qualifications and ensure he was up to date with any new industry
standards. Although Paul enjoyed the simpler handyman tasks, he acknowledged the need to
keep his electrical qualifications up-to-date. He realised he needed to read trade magazines and
maintain an awareness of new developments in his area of specialty.
3. Investigate working opportunities at The Edge and consider committing to a permanent
part-time role, for example, ten hours a week, while continuing to work for Sandy's Handyman
Services the rest of his work time.

A year down the track

Paul tried hard to improve his reliability and time-management skills. Although he
occasionally ran over time on jobs and took the odd day off when the surf was up, he became
greatly improved in this area, and Bob and his customers noticed the difference.
Paul recognised the need to maintain his skills and spent more time reading technical
journals. Even though he found this painful at times, he took a renewed pride in his work, and
with Bob's encouragement, he was happy to help train a new apprentice in the coming year.
When Paul started working at the resort, he was nearly driven crazy by Lou's high standards
and strict timetables. However, after some heated arguments, they compromised and found a
way forward: Lou learnt to trust Paul and let him complete jobs without constantly checking
and criticising him, and Paul learnt to communicate more around priorities and timeframes.
Lou and Paul recently married. Lou has written, with Paul's encouragement, a self-help
career-development book linked to the traumatic events at The Edge on the weekend of the
Medivalue conference.

Kylie Humann

Career review
Kylie wasn't sure what she wanted to do when she left school. Her favourite subjects were
English and Geography and neither presented her with an obvious career path. She took a year
off to work as a waitress, as well as volunteering for two months as part of a young people's
program to build a school in Thailand. It was then that Kylie developed her interest in working
with people. She started university studies the next year, undertaking a business degree
majoring in human resources.
After completing university, Kylie began work as a Human Resources Officer (graduate)
with a government-owned corporation, where the program allowed her to rotate through
different allied areas. She left after three years to join a multinational manufacturer of fast
moving consumer goods as a Human Resources Officer. After a year in that role, her boss left
and endorsed Kylie as her replacement. Kylie believes this opportunity came through her
performance, for example, her ability to deliver on deadlines she describes herself as a
naturally organised person and to develop rapport with people from all walks of life, shop
floor to senior executive. She recognises that her boss leaving gave her a lucky break because
she would normally have struggled to win a senior role at such a young age. Kylie worked hard
to build her profile in the HR industry. She attended industry functions and volunteered to be
on external conference committees.
She was headhunted to join Medivalue and was attracted by the opportunity of having
decision-making power at the executive table. Arnold Strong was a hard taskmaster, but she
admired his business acumen and learnt a lot from him. Kylie was beginning to consider a
career in general management, outside HR, and Medivalue offered promotional prospects in
this regard.

Career options
1. Senior HR role within Medivalue or outside
2. General management role within Medivalue or at another organisation
3. Consulting

Kylie agreed she is extroverted, self-confident and reasonably organised. Her top three values
of leadership, wealth and challenge have been evident in her career to date, which leads to her
desire to achieve a general management, and ultimately CEO, role in the future. Personally,
Kylie has a boyfriend who is building his career as a financial planner, so both are careerorientated at this time in their lives.
The External image feedback was challenging for Kylie. She was pleased she was regarded
as a hard worker who is well-presented and has a good reputation in the HR industry. She was
shocked to learn she was perceived as extremely ambitious and as not afraid to "use" people
for her own benefit. Ed Senior, having worked through his own personal career-development
strategy, was very open with Kylie and said she needed to be careful she didn't alienate too
many people, who might then work against her to thwart her next promotion. He also said she
was perceived within Medivalue, including by CEO Arnold Strong before he died, as very
good at HR but not skilled enough in operations, sales, international business and financial
management to take the next step to general management. Kylie's own assessment of her skills
in these areas was high. He suggested she readjust her goals to consider a project role outside
HR, for example, managing the expansion into the US, before targeting a general manager
position.
Kylie was satisfied with her position at Medivalue and recognised her track record made her
extremely employable as a senior HR practitioner. She knew, however, a move into general
management would be more challenging. Kylie analysed the market and concluded that
making the move into a general management role in a new company in her geographic area
would be difficult because her career history was all HR. An internal promotion with
Medivalue was her best option. Her fallback was to move interstate, where there would be a
greater number of opportunities.
Kylie identified three short-term goals:
1. Complete her MBA. She had three subjects to go, including a mini-thesis. Choose a topic
for her thesis that would be relevant to Medivalue and improve her general business capability.
2. Change her networking pattern to move away from purely HR associations to ones with a
broader business focus.
3. Push hard for lateral movement into a business role in the next twelve months, possibly
overseas, to give her international experience.

A year down the track

Much to Kylie's disappointment, she wasn't considered for the CEO role at Medivalue. Arnold
Strong's replacement was Tom Packer, who took several months to get to know his team and
the business before sitting down with each of his employees for a career discussion. Tom was
familiar with the SEEFAR methodology having employed it in another organisation.
At first Kylie was wary of Tom. She was surprised at the way he referenced the
methodology, asking her questions about her values, identity, future options, etc. But she was
impressed he took a listening-and-questioning approach and found herself opening up to him
more than she planned to, discussing her goal to move into a general management position.

Tom admitted he was surprised Kylie wanted to move out of HR. He also realised he needed to
find a way of offering Kylie what she wanted in terms of skill development that worked for the
business, or Kylie would leave. She was a valued employee, and given the current skills
shortage, Tom wanted to ensure she stayed with the company.
Ultimately, they agreed on a plan that she would stay in the HR role for another nine months
to help Tom put in place various people-development strategies. Tom promised Kylie that, as
long as she continued to perform well during this period, he would allow her to head an
offshore project to develop her international business and strategy skills. Kylie was impatient
for this opportunity to be available sooner. However, Tom convinced her to be patient,
documenting their discussion and his promise, which gave Kylie faith he would deliver.
While Kylie was pleased with this outcome, she continued to implement the other actions of
her short-term career strategy to ensure she had other options if, for whatever reason, the
Medivalue plan did not materialise. Kylie completed her MBA , met her performance goals
and was rewarded with a transfer to the United Kingdom to head up Medivalue's push into this
new market. Her respect for Tom grew and he actively mentored her. She also worked with an
executive coach so that she was ready to lead a team overseas.

Louise Able

Career review
Lou has a degree in business, with a minor in psychology. She started her career fifteen years
ago with a major hotel chain. She progressed quickly through the ranks, accepting several
international transfers, as well as changing employers three times within the hotel industry.
Lou became dissatisfied with her last role, running a large hotel in Egypt where she had to
work seventy hours a week. She yearned to return to Australia and investigated several job
opportunities in Brisbane but believed them to be a step backwards career-wise.
Her father was a successful businessman, running his own accountancy practice. He had a
client in the tourism industry who was selling a resort. Speaking to Lou one night, he ignited
an interest that, after a long research and analysis process, resulted in Lou purchasing the
resort.
Lou used the SEEFAR methodology as part of her research and analysis process in deciding
to purchase the resort. A year down the track she revisited her results as follows.

Career options
1. Managing Director of The Edge
2. Managing Director of The Edge less operational hands-on responsibilities
3. Hotel management in general

Lou loves her job, rating her job satisfaction as very high, valuing the autonomy of the role and
the challenge of developing a successful business, and if all goes to plan, significant wealth
through the sale of a well-performing business. She was happy with the occupancy rates the
resort was achieving and its general profitability, which was well beyond her expectations.
This success enabled her to pay off her creditors at a faster rate than planned. After Arnold
Strong's death, his wife confirmed continuing funding support.
A publisher staying at The Edge asked Lou about the Medivalue murder weekend and said it
sounded like it would make a good book. Lou had always secretly harboured an interest in
writing and decided to use the Medivalue team's experiences, linked to the SEEFAR
methodology, to develop a self-help book. With the assistance of her mentor, she sent a draft
through to a number of publishers and, after five rejections, it was published and will soon be
going into its second print run.
Lou's relationship with Paul, coupled with her External image feedback, caused her to
reassess her long work hours and her current "do it all" model. She recognised that the resort
was now established enough for her to recruit new staff to handle some operational aspects,
leaving her more time to devote to marketing, including developing a higher external profile,
and a controlled strategic expansion.
Lou identified three short-term goals:
1. Recruit an operations manager.
2. Based on the successful appointment of an operations manager, change the focus of her
role to be more strategic and value-adding.
3. Continue meetings with mentor successful hotel entrepreneur to assist her develop
effective strategic expansion and marketing plans.

A year down the track

Arnold's death put The Edge in the media spotlight for a short period, and as sometimes
happens, occupancy increased. Lou had a long and difficult search to recruit an operations
manager. It took her six months to find the "right person" and an additional three months to
train her. As a result, Lou wasn't able to execute her plan to pull back from some of the "handson" tasks as soon as she would have hoped.
Lou and Paul married. With her new manager now taking over more of the operations, she is
starting to think seriously about having children in the near future.

Ed Senior

Career review
Ed joined the army straight out of school, following in the footsteps of his brother and uncle,
who were also in the defence forces. Ed enjoyed eight years with the Australian army serving
overseas, where he trained as a medic and saw active service.
On returning to Australia, and with a young wife and daughter, he decided to pursue a
civilian career.
With no clear idea what he wanted to do, Ed applied for a variety of different roles until
strong communication skills and a background in first aid enabled him to develop a successful
career in pharmaceutical sales with a multinational company. He enjoyed a steady promotional
path, culminating in being appointed to the role of sales and marketing director. Five years
ago, the company was acquired by another US-based multinational, and his role was made
redundant. He immediately joined Medivalue Incorporated to assist Arnold Strong, who he
knew in his previous role, to market and sell the new technology.
Ed had personal assistants to handle the administrative requirements of his job throughout his
civilian career. He worked long hours assisting his new boss to develop Medivalue and he
travelled extensively. His wife's cancer came as a shock and she died less than four months
from the initial diagnosis. Ed continued to focus on his work as a way of dealing with his loss,
and as a result, his relationship with his children disintegrated.
With Arnold Strong's death, Ed may have been able to remain with Medivalue, at least in the
short-term. However, the experience at The Edge, and reflecting on the SEEFAR results,
assisted his decision making about his future life and career.

Career options
1. Sales and marketing manager (Medivalue or other)
2. General manager (or other senior role) not-for-profit
3. Writer
4. Consultant (sales and marketing)

Ed acknowledged his career to date, and his self-understanding and identity results reflect
strong people management skills, with an ability to build relationships and communicate
effectively, both verbally and in writing. His values suggest a renewed interest in helping
people and finding moral fulfilment. Leadership remains important to him.
The External image feedback surprised Ed, in that his colleagues perceived his
communication skills positively. He was feeling so disconnected from them that he was afraid
they wouldn't have anything nice to say. He was interested to learn that his failure to embrace
technology contributed to perceptions that he was not as effective in his sales and marketing
role. In reviewing his performance feedback, he admitted that his results had been slipping.
Reflecting on his life and career, Ed decided that it was time to leave Medivalue, because his
values and priorities were different at this point in his life.
Ed recognised that he was not ready to retire. He spent some time thinking about his skills
set, talking to friends and colleagues and analysing the marketplace, specifically employment
opportunities in Hobart, where his daughter and grandchildren lived.
Although Ed wasn't rich, he had enough money to maintain an acceptable lifestyle, so he
decided to pursue a portfolio career a combination of part-time employment, charity work
and leisure activities.
Ed was interested in sales and marketing and other leadership positions. His assessment of
the marketplace in Hobart was that few opportunities existed in his current industry
pharmaceuticals. Tourism, government and health offered better opportunities.
Ed identified four short-term goals:
1. Investigate volunteering opportunities, with a focus on working in a leadership or
sponsorship/donations gathering capacity.
2. Undertake a "relaxed" job search through advertised positions and networking, with the
goal of sourcing a part-time role.
3. Embrace technology and attend an internet course offered at the local library
4. Reignite writing skills by joining a writers association; begin writing short stories and
enter literary competitions.

A year down the track ...

After talking to his daughter and re-establishing their relationship, Ed moved to Hobart. He
researched several charities, volunteering in various capacities, before deciding to support the
local hospital foundation. He appreciated that they made use of his people and sales skills,
which allowed him to help organise several charitable events. This included seeking
sponsorship from local businesses.
Ed's job search was relaxed and he struggled to find many part-time roles of interest.
He fulfilled his goal of improving his technology skills and enjoyed working on his first
historical novel using his new laptop one day a week.

Through his work and success with the hospital foundation, Ed was offered and accepted a
two-day-a-week paid role, leading the development and implementation of the hospital's fundraising events. He leads a team of up to a hundred volunteers, raising money to help the
hospital purchase much-needed healthcare machinery. He spends at least a half-day a week
with his grandchildren.

Nathan Clearview

Career review
Nathan's father was a teacher and his mother stayed home to look after Nathan and his sister.
Nathan did well at school. His father, disenchanted with teaching and wanting more for his
son, encouraged him to go to university and enter the business world. Nathan studied
accountancy, which he enjoyed the detail and number work came easily to him.
After finishing university, Nathan joined a large accountancy firm to complete his
professional qualifications. He transferred to the firm's London office, spending two years in
the UK working and travelling. On his return to Australia, Nathan met his wife, and held two
other senior finance roles, before taking the position as Chief Financial Officer at Medivalue.
During the last eighteen months, Nathan has felt less and less satisfied with his job at
Medivalue, rating his job satisfaction at level two. He puts this down to a number of factors,
the first being his relationship with his boss Arnold Strong. Nathan values ethical behaviour in
financial management and all areas of business. He found his principles constantly challenged
and compromised as his boss's impatience to launch the new product resulted in cutting
corners and dubious decision-making.
Additionally, Nathan and his wife tried for three years to have a child, suffering several
miscarriages and undergoing expensive IVF treatments. They are now expecting their first
child. His wife is also a professional, and although happy to take principal parenting
responsibility, plans to return to her career as a solicitor on a part-time basis. She expects that
Nathan will shoulder his share of the child rearing. He is working, on average, seventy hours a
week and is being pushed by Strong to contribute to other areas of the business beyond
financial management. Nathan has been feeling unhappy and stressed.

Career options
1. MD with Medivalue
2. CFO with Medivalue
3. CFO externally

Nathan has strengths in analysis and detail, and he is objective, logical and practical. Never a
fan of personality profiles, nevertheless, with the assistance of his career coach, Nathan was
able to understand that his low preference for big-picture thinking was linked to his current job
dissatisfaction in being asked to become involved in marketing, sales and other areas outside
his interest and comfort zone. Nathan's current role was not meeting his top values of technical
expertise, lifestyle and precision work. Nathan was also disappointed to realise that his
commitment to technical skill development attending accounting conferences, focus groups,
etc. had been almost non-existent in the last year because of the demands of his role at
work.
Nathan's External image feedback linked well to his personal assessment. He was perceived
as intelligent, technically skilled and practically minded. He was surprised that his work
colleagues sensed his unhappiness, describing him as overly stressed and irritable.
He recognised that he was being groomed for the CEO role at Medivalue. With the help of
his career coach and talking things over with his wife, he was able to think through, over a
couple of months, how he really wanted his career to progress. He made an initially difficult
decision not to pursue a leadership role outside financial management, deciding not to apply
for Strong's position, which he had filled on an interim basis. He recognised that he enjoyed
the technical side of his job and did not want to commit to the demands and working hours
required of a CEO. Nathan's father expressed disappointment at his son's perceived lack of
ambition but accepted that Nathan needed to make his own decisions. While money would be
tight with the baby coming, he agreed with his wife that he could make a good enough living
as a CFO, supplemented by her working part-time, to maintain a good lifestyle.
Nathan identified four short-term goals:
1. Indicate to the Medivalue board that he wasn't interested in the CEO role.
2. Meet with the new Medivalue CEO to determine if he could remain in the CFO role with
significantly reduced hours, focusing only on financial management to support business
strategy.
3. Explore the marketplace by investigating advertised opportunities and meeting with
specialised recruiters in terms of other CFO opportunities in case Medivalue did not accept his
proposal.
4. Attend this year's chartered accounting conference.

A year down the track

Nathan met with Tom Packer, Strong's replacement as CEO, to discuss his interest in
remaining with Medivalue in a CFO role with significantly reduced hours, so he could spend
more time with his wife and new daughter. Tom was initially relieved, believing that Nathan
may have been resentful that he wasn't appointed to the CEO position. A very hard worker and
used to putting in long hours, Tom was surprised at Nathan's desire to reduce the time he was
spending at the office. Aware of the challenging times ahead in launching the technology
internationally, Tom didn't commit to Nathan's request for greater work/life balance and
admitted that there might be significant travel required to establish financial management
strategies and systems in new geographic markets.

After due consideration, Nathan recognised that Medivalue could not offer him the work
model he desired. He started to look for another job and found a CFO role in a well-established
medium-sized company that better matched his values. Tom, although sad to lose Nathan, was
keen to have some input into choosing his own CFO.

Yasmin Perfect

Career review
Yasmin's father was a property developer, and her mother a homemaker. Her father left home
when she was very young, and because he provided no child support, Yasmin and her mother
had to change their way of life to fit their strained circumstances.
Yasmin left school at the end of Grade 11 to undertake a secretarial course. She hated school
and was motivated to earn money as soon as possible. She liked the idea of working in a flash
office in the city, near all the fashion shops. After completing her course, she took a role as
receptionist with a legal firm and was promoted to a secretarial position.
Three years later, Yasmin married her police officer boyfriend and they had a baby a year
later. Yasmin took two years off and then returned to the law firm where she worked four days
a week. After her husband was killed in a shooting incident, Yasmin had to find a full-time job.
She worked on a temporary basis for a year, before joining Medivalue as Arnold Strong's PA.
Yasmin enjoys secretarial work, but she has struggled with the demands of full-time hours
and single motherhood, often feeling overwhelmed, sad and guilty about spending time away
from her son, who is now eight years old. Her mother has been very supportive and looks after
Tom before and after school.

Career options
1. PA for new Medivalue MD
2. Events management
3. Retail
4. Public sector administration role
5. Social work
Arnold Strong's death was a moment of truth for Yasmin, causing her to think carefully about
her life in general and her career path. While not dissatisfied with her work, she yearned to do
something that would allow her more time with her son and a higher level of remuneration.
She recognised that she was an emotional person and tended to be sensitive to criticism but
was gratified by the positive feedback regarding her organisational skills and presentation.
Yasmin had a general interest in a number of other areas, including retail and social work. As
a result, she had no clear career goals. She explored tertiary education options, but with her
financial and time constraints, ruled that option out as not viable at this time. She was
interested in events management, although it was a questionable fit with her values, and she
had limited experience.
Yasmin identified two short-term goals:
1. Take six weeks leave to spend time with her son and volunteer with an events
management company to determine if she liked the work.
2. Begin looking at public-sector opportunities to improve her work/life balance.

A year down the track

Yasmin volunteered with an events company run by a friend, but although she enjoyed the
work, the hours and customer demands were onerous, and she ultimately decided that this was
not the career path for her.
She liked the new Medivalue CEO, Tom Packer and found that, although demanding at
times, she enjoyed working for him. He gave her time off to attend school functions, as long as
she made up the hours.
Yasmin is still considering a move into a public-sector role that would provide security and
increased flexibility, but she hasn't found a role of interest to date.

Clara Cooke

Career review
Clara was an only child and grew up in a creative environment; her mother was an artist and
her father a musician. Due to her parents' careers, her family moved seven times during her
school years. As a child Clara was shy and slightly overweight. She struggled to make friends
and was bullied badly as a teenager. Clara had a close relationship with one auntie, Auntie
Ann, who was a chef and would regularly stay with Clara's family between her many different
jobs. Auntie Ann had excited Clara's interest in cooking, and the mobile lifestyle seemed a
natural part of work life due to Clara's life experience. Auntie Ann was able to arrange a chef
apprenticeship for Clara. In the absence of other options, this seemed a logical career choice
when she completed school.
Clara found she had a natural talent for cooking and progressed easily through her training.
To build her skills and reputation, and enjoying some stability after the multiple childhood
moves, she worked for six years at one of Sydney's better restaurants. She then met her partner,
a restaurant manager, who encouraged her to travel. Clara spent three years overseas working
in the restaurants of several three star London hotels. When that relationship broke down, she
returned to Australia.
Clara's experience allowed her to source a role at a small, boutique Sydney eatery. Always a
hard worker, her creative menu development and culinary expertise helped the restaurant
become well known and successful. After five years, the owner suffered a heart attack and
decided to sell. Clara took out a loan and purchased the restaurant.
Clara refurbished the restaurant to give it a trendy and modern look. She created a new
signature dish and business was growing steadily. Unfortunately, Clara's strengths were on the
creative side, and she struggled to manage the operational running of the business, finding the
recruitment of good staff and the development and leadership of a cohesive, efficient team
especially challenging. Mr Arnold Strong was a regular patron and ultimately offered to
purchase a fifty-five percent share of the restaurant, promising Clara that she would maintain
creative and management control.
Strong did not keep to his word and began to interfere in all aspects of the restaurant
operation, casting aspersions on Clara's competence to staff, suppliers and patrons behind her
back. Clara, stressed by the continual conflict with Strong and the staff, just wanted to get out
and agreed to sell her remaining percentage of the restaurant to Strong at a bargain basement
price, on the condition she was paid to continue to run the restaurant until such time as she
found alternative employment. He sacked her the day after settlement. With financial
commitments to meet, and distressed by the damage done to her reputation, Clara was keen to
obtain alternative employment as soon as possible, preferably out of Sydney. Therefore, when
Strong mentioned the advertisement for a chef's position at the Edge resort, she applied.

Career options
Clara left The Edge soon after Arnold's death. She took another position as a chef at a lodge in
Tasmania. Battling depression and a sense of failure despite the move, Clara soon found
herself in conflict with her boss and colleagues. She started relying on alcohol and pills to get
her through each day. Ultimately, she reached a point where she was unable to function at
work. Realising that she needed help, Clara sought psychological counselling.

A year down the track

Counselling raised a range of issues beyond the incident with the Sydney restaurant. Clara is
slowly working through these issues with her psychologist and is again focusing on exercise as
one strategy to deal with stress. She remains on medication at this stage because she has
recently commenced working two shifts a week in a small Launceston restaurant.

Career Management Resources

Self-understanding, Identity and External image
Bolles, Richard Nelson. (2009) What Color Is Your Parachute 2009: A Practical Manual for
Job-hunters and Career-Changers. US: Ten Speed Press.
Ibarra, Hermina (2003) Working Identity. Unconventional Strategies for reinventing your
career. Boston: Harvard Business School Press.
Mitchell, Karen (2004) Careers and Motherhood. Challenges and Choices. How to
successfully manage your career through pregnancy, birth and motherhood. NSW: McGrawHill.
Scott, Ted & Harker, Phil (2002) The Myth of Nine to Five. Work, workplaces and workplace
relationships. NSW: Richmond Ventures Pty Ltd.
Schepp, Brad and Debra (2010). How to Find a Job on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, My Space
and Other Social Networks. New York: McGraw Hill.
Watkins, Michael D. (2009). Your Next Move. The leader's guide to navigating major career
transitions. Boston: Harvard Business Press.
Worklife Catalogue of assessment tools, career books and resources www.worklife.com.au

Environment

Australia Centre for Industrial Relations Research and Training ACIRRT (1999) Australia
at Work. Sydney: Prentice Hall.
Cocks, Doug (1999) Future Makers. Future Takers. Life in Australia 2050. Sydney: University
of NSW Press.
Coombs, Ann (2001) The Living Workplace. Soul, spirit and success in the 21st century.
Canada: Harper Collins.
Ellyard, Peter (2001) Ideas for the New Millennium. Melbourne: Melbourne University Press.
Hamilton, Clive (2003) Growth Fetish. NSW: Allen & Unwin.
Rifkin, Jeremy (1995) The End of Work: The decline of the global labor force and the dawn of
the post-market era. New York: Tarcher Putman.

Financial objectives
Bell, Anita (2003) Your Real Estate Jargon Explained. Sydney: Random House.
Bell, Anita (2003) Your Share Market Jargon Explained. Sydney: Random House.
Bell, Anita (2001) Your Mortgage And How To Pay It Off In Five Years By Someone Who Did
It In Three. Sydney: Random House.
Bell, Anita (2001) Your Money: Starting Out & Starting Over. Sydney: Random House.
Financial Planning Association of Australia click on Consumer tab for resources
www.fpa.asn.au

Action, Reflection and Results

Hakim, Cliff (2003) We Are All Self-Employed: How to take control of your career. US:
Berrett-Koehler.
Bridges, William. (1998) Creating You and Co: Learn to think like the CEO of your own
career. New York: Perseus Books Group.

Theory and Practice for Career Coaches

Our approach
After carrying out a thorough review of the current career literature, we have incorporated key
themes from influential theories into our career management methodology, and they underpin
the processes and techniques we use as career coaches and share in this book. For a
comprehensive review of career management theories, refer to Patton and McMahon's book
Career Development and Systems Theory. A New Relationship listed in the listed in the
Resources for career coaches section.
Below is a brief overview of some of the most influential career-development theories:

Trait and factor theory

This is the oldest and most widely used of the career-development theories. It is founded on
the notion that individuals are different, and that their different capabilities can be measured
and related to occupations. Traits are individual characteristics that can be measured through
testing, and factors are characteristics required for successful job performance. The term trait
and factor implies a matching between individuals and jobs, and career selection is seen to
occur as a result of understanding the relationship between knowledge about self and about
occupations.
Practitioners of trait and factor theory use a number of assessment instruments to identify an
individual's profile: interests, aptitudes, values, personality and achievements. When a person's
profile is matched with the profile of an occupation or job role, the degree of fit can be seen.

Holland's theory of vocational choice

Originally proposed in 1959, Holland's theory reflects both trait and factor theory and a
person-environment fit approach. Holland categorised people into one of six broad types of
personality: realistic, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising or conventional. He proposed
that these personality types are related to needs and that individuals seek out work
environments that are compatible with their attitudes and interests and that allow them to use
their skills and abilities. The Self Directed Search (SDS) is a well-known tool based on
Holland's theory.

Brown's values-based, holistic model

Brown's contribution to career-development theory drew attention to the important concept of
values in career development. As his theory developed, he incorporated into the coaching
process a combined focus on trait, values and the concept of interconnected life roles.

Super's life span approach

Super brings together developmental or life-stage psychological theory and social role theory
to convey a comprehensive picture of multiple-role careers. He presented a stage model of
career development. His significant propositions include:

Vocational preferences and competencies change with time and experience, although selfconcepts are increasingly stable from late adolescence until late maturity, providing some
continuity in choice and adjustment.

The process of change is summed up in a series of life stages a "maxicycle"

characterised as a sequence of growth, exploration, establishment, maintenance and decline.

An individual's career pattern is determined by the individual's parental socioeconomic level,

mental ability, education, skills, personality characteristics needs, values, interests, traits
and self-concepts career maturity and by the opportunities to which he or she is exposed.

Career maturity is a hypothetical construct a constellation of physical, psychological and

social characteristics. It includes the degree of success in coping with the demands of earlier
stages, sub-stages and recent stages of career development.

Work and life satisfactions depend on the extent to which the individual finds adequate outlets
for abilities, needs, values, interests, personality traits and self-concepts. The degree of
satisfaction people attain from work is proportional to the degree to which they have been able
to implement self-concepts.
These theories led to a plethora of self-assessment tools, straight from self-awareness
values, interests, skills, career and life stage to action planning and goal setting. Viewing
the individual as a single actor, this perspective tends not to take into account the context of an
individual's life.

Systems theory

McMahon and Patton brought together a review of existing career theories and proposed that
psychology had failed to take account of the systems that affect every individual. They applied
systems theory to career development.
General systems theory views life as composed of systems. The individual system includes
components such as gender, age, skills, values, beliefs, personality, self-concept and aptitudes.
An individual lives within a social system a workplace, peers, family, media, community
groups and educational institutions. The individual also lives within a broader system, which is
that of the society or the environment, for example, the employment market, geographical
location, political decisions, historical trends, globalisation and socioeconomic status.
This theory acknowledges the multitude of influences on career development and how they
are affected by change over time past, present and future. These influences are nonlinear,
mutual and multidirectional. A key feature of systems theory is the concept of "story", an
individual's explanation of the relevance of events in his or her life. Through stories,
individuals make meaning of their lives and actively construct them.

Working identities
Hermina Ibarra (2003) also challenges the view that adults make the transition neatly from
their current state to their career objective or goal in a linear fashion. As a result of her Harvard
research, conducting and analysing thirty-nine in-depth interviews with tertiary qualified
individuals at different stages of transition, she proposed the following identities in transition:

She proposes that individuals move through the identities in practice by crafting experiments
trying out new activities or professional roles; shifting connections developing networks
and contacts that can open doors to new worlds; and making sense of the transition finding
or creating catalysts or triggers for change and using them to rework their story.

Integrated career development theory

Today, there is a move towards attempting an integrated career-development theory that draws
on a number of theories and perspectives, including those discussed previously.
In practice, there is increasing focus on coaching principles one-on-one support that
allows a highly personalised approach; providing vocational guidance; coaching clients to
establish their own career goals and run a motivated and effective career management strategy
themselves. Career coaches assist individuals to put their personal-assessment feedback
together in a meaningful way and develop actionable career strategies that match their
aspirations and available options. They also assist clients to check the viability of
opportunities, taking into account all the factors and stakeholders in the individual's life, with
the provision of practical and realistic feedback.
Best-practice career coaches take a person-centred approach that recognises and respects
individual differences, encouraging individuals to take responsibility for their own outcomes,
while providing a supportive environment. Working under a constructivist framework the
coach is an interested, curious inquirer, a respectful listener and a tentative observer he or
she is not the expert. The role of the client is an active participant, rather than a passive
responder. There is an expectation of client-driven change.
Coaches should be committed to providing honest, and where necessary, challenging
feedback to ensure real behavioural change, backed up with solution-oriented counselling for
optimum results. Components of a solution-oriented approach include:

Collaborative: A working alliance formed between the coach and the client

Constructivist: When clients present a problem, the coach works with them to help them make
meaning of it, and if necessary, construct an alternative discourse away from problem-oriented
language. Clients are encouraged to imagine what it would be like without that particular
problem and to focus on what they would then be doing.

Competency-based: Coaches assume clients have access to their own unique set of strengths
and resources, and that they are experts at solving their own problems. A coach's expertise is
helping them set goals and to facilitate recognition of their own resources to meet such goals.

Change-oriented: Coaches encourage clients to keep doing what works; conversely, they assist
clients to identify strategies that are not working and encourage them to stop and change
strategies.
Coaches acknowledge the contribution of systems theory to understanding constraints on the
ability of clients to apply new knowledge in their "real world". Therefore, their interventions
should take into account all systems impacting individuals' behaviour: manager, organisational
culture, colleagues and team, family and friends, community, etc.
Client outcomes include providing feedback that can be used to prepare and implement an
actionable career or job search plan. For some it may lead to recognition that they are no
longer suited to their organisation, that they have other options, and as a result, self-select out
by leaving the organisation. Additionally, career interventions should facilitate a culture of

career self-management, where the individual takes responsibility in partnership with the
organisation for their own career management. It delivers actions that individuals can take
back into the workplace to implement.
Coaches also acknowledge that it isn't one event or a number of events that impact on clients;
it is the story told around the event, the interpretation of what the event meant to them. This
has led to recognition of the importance of storytelling and an individual's narrative around
their view of the world.
Adopting this view means changing the role of career advisor from "expert" to one of career
coach, regarding the individual as the expert in their own lives and the coach's role merely one
of facilitating their journey to reaching a better understanding of themselves and the way they
conduct their lives and careers.
We offer our SEEFAR methodology as a tool to incorporate contemporary career theories
into your coaching practice.

Resources for career coaches

McMahon, M. and Patton. W. (eds.) (2003) Ideas for Career Practitioners: Celebrating
Excellence in Australian Career Practice. Brisbane: Australian Academic Press Pty Ltd.
Patton, W. and McMahon, M. (1999) Career Development and Systems Theory: A New
Relationship. Brisbane: QUT.
Skiffington, Suzanne & Zeus, Perry. (2005). Behavioural Coaching. How to build sustainable
personal and organizational strength. North Ryde, NSW: McGraw Hill.
Whitworth, Laura, Kimsey-House, Henry & Sandahl, Phil. (1998). Co-active Coaching. New
skills for coaching people toward success in work and life. California: Davies-Black
Publishing.
Worklife Career Development Resources Catalogue www.worklife.com.au

About the Authors

Helen Burton

leads the Queensland division of a global career management practice. She has a Bachelor of
Commerce and commenced her career as an accountant before completing an MBA and
transitioning to her "dream job" in management consulting, working on large scale
organisational and leadership development projects and travelling extensively. An interest in
career decision making driven by her need to combine work and family life ultimately lead to a
specialisation in career consulting. She has developed and successfully used the SEEFAR
model to assist individuals from all walks of life take control of their careers and achieve job
satisfaction.
She regularly presents on a variety of career and development related topics for professional
groups and conferences and led a career segment on ABC radio.
Helen lives in Brisbane Australia with her Engineer husband and two children.

Vicki Webster

Vicki Webster is an organisational psychologist with over 10 years experience in managing

consulting teams. Having experienced three career transitions herself to date, she knows the
value of taking responsibility for maintaining her own job satisfaction and employability. After
her role as a Court Reporter with the state government was made redundant she took on a HR
and training role, while studying psychology part time as a mature age student. Since
becoming a registered psychologist she has been consulting in career management, leadership
development and executive and transition coaching. She is currently completing a part-time
research PhD on leadership.
She lives in Brisbane with her partner, John, who runs his own building business. They
maintain work life balance by escaping to the coast on the weekend.
Helen and Vicki co-authored the chapter "Creating the Right Impression" for Practicing
Excellence in Australian Career Practice edited by Mary McMahon and Wendy Patton.

Alison Lees

Alison Lees has had enough careers for ten people, having started as a secondary school
Teacher and subsequently worked as a Counsellor, a tertiary ESL Teacher, a business adviser
and trainer with the Queensland government, run her own business, lectured in communication
and small business management, and worked as a Development Manager in the Arts industry.
Alison has also recently qualified as a marriage celebrant. All the while she has been happily
scribbling in the background writing short stories and working on a novel manuscript. She has
self-published The Accidental Entrepreneur, a self-help book for counsellors and natural
therapists running their own private practice.
Alison currently works from home which allows her the flexibility to enjoy her expanding
young family. Her husband Paul is an Engineer with Queensland Health and was the
inspiration for Paul Handy!