Pebblepup's Writing Den

From: Agent Zoe
To: Mr. Whiskers
Date: 3 December 2023
Subject: Mission Report

Agent Probie is still struggling with the schedule. Things are settling down, but I still feel as though I’m the only one doing any work. I know, I’m not but, as irrational as it is, I still feel as though I’m the only doing anything. I spent a lot of what little free time I have trying to figure out what I need to do about it. I also took some time to watch Agent Winnie. He is working on the archives. I can see that. I also know he does do some observations, not as much as I would like, though. I then watched what Agent Probie was doing.

While I watched him, I could see he was trying to observe the humans and work on the schedule. It shouldn’t be that hard. I know I’ve been complaining about the schedule. While I don’t know for certain, I think Agent Winnie may have been complaining as well. So I decided to ask Agent Probie if he would like some help with the schedule. If we are to be an effective team, we need to work as a team. I have come to realize that I haven’t been acting as a team member for quite some time.

To my utter shock, Agent Probie accepted my offer of help. Between us, we’ve managed to come up with a good schedule. It’s one that doesn’t have any one cat doing more observations than any other cat. That’s good. We presented it to Agent Winnie who grumbled that he didn’t have enough time with the archives. But he conceded it was fair.

I offered Agent Probie the option of asking for a counseling session. He didn’t reject it out of hand, but admitted he would prefer a manual on leadership. I’m not sure there is one. I suspect that you would have provided one if there were. I suggested that the three of us try to write one we could use going forward. So we may be presenting you with a first draft sometime next year. I hope so anyway.

Agent Probie decided to write an essay on delegating work. He hasn’t shared it with me, but I am sure that’s what he has inmind. It will cement it in his head. He hasn’t assigned any such thing for me, or Agent Winnie. So I may be writing one on my own. I have chosen to write an essay on scheduling. I hope Agent Winnie doesn’t write one on maintaining archives. That’s not part of the leader’s job. I’ve no doubt it is what he loves. I suppose he could write something about maintaining the archives. But that would be for inclusion in the agent manual.

Reporting should be something we should all be doing. The maintenance of the records is best done by one cat. Agent Winnie seems to like doing it so he can do that. I like schedules. I will ask Agent Probie if I can work out further schedules in case we need to make changes.

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