Hero Onboarding 101

It was a lovely Monday and the first thing Jens did was a very bad job of tying his tie. In a sign of protest of course, not because he hadn't worn a tie often, maybe for grand celebrations or holidays. Danish work culture was very lax, you just wore what made you comfortable. 

He got a message that he should come at nine o'clock and there he was. It was a pretty big corporate building, and the only thing differentiating it from other buildings was its name - Kōdai Group. Some other people also came inside, and went to the building lobby, waiting inside. Instead of coming inside, he was waiting.

For Haruka, this morning was so, so different from the others. Last Friday, people in the Prime Minister's office said goodbye to her, and they took her tablet, which she took everywhere, to check the calendar, take care of all sorts of stuff and make notes. So this weekend instead of a light and elegant tablet, she wrote all the stuff that could come in handy in new job on pieces of paper. When she was packing this morning, and she wanted to grab her tablet out of habit, she just broke up crying. She did her best for so many years, she got up early, went to sleep late, all the time working and putting everything she got into this work. She was proud of herself. She went from nothing, to one of highest places women could go without connections, and those men just took it in a second from her, without consideration. All these weekends she worked through, just gone. She did not know what would happen in new job, how much working with this new guy cost her.

But even at this time, she still needed to just go, so she washed her face, put her makeup on, and then she noticed she was almost too late, so she grabbed those sad notes and ran off to her new place of work.

She felt so bad as she was running the fastest she could in her high heels, and holding all her stuff. Fortunately, she was once or twice in the main Kōdai Group building before - since Mr CEO and the Prime Minister like to visit each other sometimes instead of calling - so even if she was not travelling by a limousine, she could tell where she was going. As she was running, her ankle accidentally rolled to the side. She felt a rising pain in her foot, which abruptly stopped, as she felt a strong arm grabbing her by her waist, not letting her twist her ankle or fall. Some notes started to fly in the air.

"Whoa", shouted Jens, as he caught a note in mid air. How did he not lose his balance and even catch notes?!, "We literally avoided falling, " laughed Jens.

Thanks to him, she could also regain her balance, both physically as well as psychologically.

"Thank you. I apologise for your trouble", stated Haruka.

"Please, don't apologise. Are you okay?" Jens gave her the page that he caught.

"Thanks to you." She quickly grabbed it and put it in her notes.

"It's almost nine, let's go, I know that in here, being late is second only to murder" joked Jens.

"Wait", Haruka just finished shoving her notes into her bag. "You helped me, let me help you" she grabbed his tie and in two quick moves she fixed it for him. "Now we're even".

Jens's expression darkened. "I just did what was right, not to get favors from you", he muttered, but Haruka did not hear him, or at least behaved like she didn't. He quickly followed her into the lobby.

Inside, they wanted to join the group that was obviously a new cohort. Just when they went in, a receptionist stood up and came to them. "Hi, I have instructions for you two, I was asked to bring you to Mr CEO. You will join onboarding shortly, but first please join me for a second", she pointed with her hand to the elevator no one was standing at. Jens noticed that this elevator looked a little nicer than the other elevators: the door was shiner, it seemed wider from the outside, and the receptionist needed to put in her card instead of just calling it by pushing a button. There was even music inside, and the whole elevator ride was pretty smooth. Yet, longer than usual, and everyone could feel the tension and feelings of awkwardness rise.

When the door opened, Jens was surprised. This was one of the highest floors of this building, as he could tell by the length of the elevator ride. There was a really nice corridor, which led to quite a big open office. Jens couldn't help but notice how well and thoughtfully this space was organised. There was a lot of sun and all the desks looked like they were made from wood, with ergonomic chairs. Every desk was clean, and there was no wasted space here. He was pleased to see this. When they came in, Haruka was recognised almost immediately:

"Miss Tanikawa, good to see you," smiled one of the secretaries.

"And nice to see you as well, Miss Tanaka. Did your brother recover after his operation?"

"Thanks to you. The whole family is really grateful for your help with moving him to the better hospital"

"No problem at all", Haruka smiled. "Glad to hear he is doing better".

"Mr. CEO will be free in 5 minutes, please wait for a bit in the lounge."

"Thank you".

Jens just observed this interaction without a word, but when they entered the lounge, which was looking elegant and expensive, he dared to ask:

"So, you seem close to Miss Tanaka…?"

"Oh this is just something for keeping good relationships with all of the secretaries. You never know if you will need someone's help to get in contact fast, or to know what mood someone's in.", Haruka said casually.

Something clicked in Jens's mind as she told him that. It seemed to him like Haruka had a lot of connections, and was used to calling in favors. So, a few questions arose to him - did she see him helping her this morning as just another favor? Did everyone here behave that way - helping others just to get something back later? 

He wanted to understand, so he opened his mouth to ask, but then the door to Mr CEO 's office opened. and another secretary asked them inside.

Inside there was another elegant and stylish office. They were served green tea, while Mr CEO was doing something on his phone. Haruka thought that he probably was thinking of calling or at least writing to his granddaughter, to wish her luck at school; after all, the beginning of April was the start of not only a new season at companies, but also universities and schools. 

At last, he hid his phone and cleared his throat with some awkwardness.

"Hello there. I wanted to officially welcome you as new workers in the Kōdai Group. You will have onboarding today, but you know your role will be somewhat special compared to the other new hires", said Mr CEO as he put emphasis on the word 'special'.

"I must say first, I'm hoping you will adjust well. Mr Jens, I see how… Taking that job offer," he carefully chose his words, speaking each one slowly, like he would chew them to test how they would taste in his mouth. "may have disrupted your plans. I will make sure that you will be compensated more than fairly, and I, no, we will", he looked at Haruka as she nodded "do all we can do for this… predicament to last only a year. Hopefully we will succeed"

Jens thought that this is the closest that he will get to an apology for this wild and absurd situation. He basically could not go back to his home, so even if he could travel all around Japan, he would still be trapped in a foreign country.

"I will try to think of it as an adventure", smiled Jens. "It's lucky I don't have any bigger obligations in Denmark right now. So, what is my job going to be for next year?"

Mr CEO's shoulders dropped visibly as he relaxed and took a big breath out. 

"You don't have to worry about your job. Just think of it as more of a calm seas job, yes?" Mr CEO shot Jens a look. It became more and more clear to Jens that if he wanted to do any meaningful work, he would need to be indirect. Subtle. Exactly that kind of person he was not.

"Kōdai group will also take care of your apartment for the time being here. Also, Haruka will help you adjust to your new position to help you lead a life full of dignity", as Mr CEO said that Jens felt bribed. But sure, 

"Of course, thank you for this", he answered.

Then Mr CEO nodded to him. Then he cleared his throat and nodded again. The subsequent silence started to become more and more awkward. After a while, he looked at Haruka.

"Please wait at the open office for me, I think I have things to discuss with Mr CEO", said Haruka, helping Mr CEO point out the expected behaviour to Jens.

"Oh, of course! Thank you Mr CEO and see you later", said Jens as he walked out.

"See you later?" repeated Mr CEO, as the door closed behind him. He massaged his temples, and thought that he was too old for this. "Haruka, you will have a lot of work to do. Just make him… presentable for society. We need to keep things calm on our side. We like it this way."

"Understood"

"We assigned you to one of the marketing departments. It has good enough performance, so you don't have to do much"

"This will be a great help", said Haruka. She could do this kind of conversation almost automatically, with great lip service, but in her mind she was already planning putting Jens through basic corporate etiquette and keigo.

She bowed with respect - she knew this conversation was finished as she got her guidelines and assignment for the rest of year.

"Oh, and before you go", Mr CEO decided to say something to Haruka, before she got out. "I don't think you deserve this", he said with a pitiful smile.

Haruka sharply stopped at the door.

"I think it's just a pity", said Mr. CEO.

"I appreciate it." said Haruka. She just wished the Prime Minister would also see it this way.

When she came into the open office, she saw Miss Tanaka barely holding back her smile while talking to Jens. Two other secretaries were giggling a little. Haruka never saw Mr. CEO's secretaries behaving this unprofessional in work. Is he flirting with her? Haruka did not flinch, frown, or even blink. She simply stood there until the air began to cool several degrees.

"We are ready to go now", said Haruka. Jens turned to her with a radiant smile, and Miss Tanaka responded:

"Of course, let me walk you out. You need to go to the third floor, IT support and photos are there. You can meet there with rest of new cohort, and someone will take you from there"

"Excellent", said Haruka. "Let's go then."

"Oh, thank you for your salmon places recommendation" said Jens all beaming up. "I swear I've been craving it for at least a week. See you later!". He looked like a happy golden retriever, with his golden hair, and a big smile with dimples. Miss Tanaka smiled, and quickly covered her smile with a hand, like she wanted to hide it.

The elevator doors closed. Haruka checked her notes. Reviewed the onboarding schedule. Repositioned a paperclip.

"You like fish?" she asked politely without turning her head. " I could recommend a few places to you. You won't find better than Japan"

"Nah, that won't be needed"

Her silence grew heavy.

"It's just something to keep a good relationship with secretaries" he smiled, all proud of himself.

He had used her own words. He quickly applied an explanation to his actions. Haruka gave him a sideways glance.

"That's a start."

If he made any connections, she won't have to babysit him for 24/7 all next year. Maybe it was not all hopeless.

After joining the new hires cohort, having their photos taken, getting set up with work laptops from IT support and receiving a guided tour of the whole company, they finally arrived at the department they would be spending their whole next year in

The true onboarding started now.