The Outsider (Outsider #1) ✔️

Chapter 75 : Old Man's Advice

"Sit, my child." The emperor said.

"I cannot sit while the Emperor stands..." She replied.

He laughed and sat on the nearest sofa and she followed.

"Why were you hesitant in accepting the proposal that you had yourself made?" He asked.

Dusk was silent, recalling that was the same thing Rosemary had asked. But she had to reply, "Your Majesty, it is a lot of money. Proposing something because it looks exciting is one thing, to commit to spend money is another. Specially more because it is not our money. It is not mine. How can I just spend because it is there, or because someone gave it to us?"

He nodded and replied with a smile, "But you did say it was important to the company. You said it will work."

"It will probably work... I did not say I was definite."

"Nothing in life is ever definite. Think, child, of all different possibilities. Not just what if it fails, not what if it succeeds once you say 'Yes'. There is another consideration you must always remember. What if you do not take a decision? What if you decide 'No'..."?

Dusk remained quiet for a minute as she considered the Emperor's words. It was difficult for her to talk openly and oppose what the Emperor says. They had always been told never to oppose the Monarch.

"If we decide not to take it, then... The most of our projects are delayed by 5-8 months. But we have to still build the engine, we cannot continue for ever without it. Since we cannot deliver as fast, our clients will get their products late."

"Have you considered, what happens in such a case? Who loses? Just you? Or your investors, your customers also? What if someone else comes up with the solution and offers it to your customers? What is the cost of that lost opportunity? I do not know what an engine is, I do not have the answer for you. It is something you need to understand, work out and take a call. Business, like running a country, is all about making an informed decision based on choices you have, taking all options, costs, risk and rewards into consideration."

"But Your Majesty, how can I, a 20-year-old from a village in Arcadia, take such a decision? What qualifies me for it? What if my decision is wrong?"

"That is the catch, my child. Who can make this decision? How is it made? Who is right? These are all things that are decided by historians in future. What you lack is a Business Degree. But you know what? No man can have everything. Tech or Business or Admin or Humanities or Maths or Science? Since no one can do all, we leverage on our teams. You have one person with you who is good in Business. Two in fact. Use them. Take their opinion. You understand tech, someone understands business and finance, someone else is good in admin, and together you decide and together you succeed."

"But... What if I AM wrong?"

"IS any person ever, perpetually right? Was I right? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Stop thinking about it all the time. There is money backing you. Substantial money. Do you know why? Because they believe you will try. Do they believe you will always do right? No. They know some of your decisions will be wrong and will fail. But it is ok. They can afford your occasional failure.

"What they cannot afford is to not take a risk, not take a decision. It is their opportunity cost. They cannot afford to keep that money home. They will invest money in all possible things, some of which will be good and make up for the ones that go bad. It's their way of life." He explained gently.

He looked at the girl sitting on the chair, looking still uncertain, feeling crowded by the events surrounding her. He needed to inspire her so that she can inspire others. He knew why Luke and his Grandchildren pushed and encouraged her. He understood Luke's plan. He understood Julien's plans...