Positively Gleaming

I have two managers who report to me.  I’ll call them Joy and Declan.  Those aren’t their names.

The other day in a staff meeting we were talking about some upcoming vacancies and possible promotions, discussing the people we have, and whose skill-set best fits where (and how we can talk them into applying). 

Declan mentioned one person who has very good program knowledge but lacks confidence and is tentative in giving answers.  “Doesn’t really have the command presence,” he said. 

I said, “Well, I don’t have command presence and I’ve done okay.” 

He immediately said, “You’ve got plenty of command presence.” 

Joy, who comes from a military background, said, “Those epaulets positively gleam sometimes.”