​𝒰𝓃𝓀𝓃ℴ𝓌𝓃

The biggest deal I had worked on in almost five years closed while I was on annual leave. When I returned to work, my manager congratulated my colleague for bringing in the client. He received the commission, the public recognition and a special mention in the company's monthly meeting. I received nothing. The part that still bothers me is that I was the one who brought that client to the company in the first place. I had spent almost eleven months building that relationship. But when I complained, my manager asked me a question I wasn't expecting: "If you were so important to this deal, why did the client sign while you were away?" I didn't have an immediate answer. And honestly, I don't think anyone in that office understood what had happened until the client sent one email that changed the entire conversation. I work in the sales department of a company that supplies equipment and services to other businesses. We have monthly targets, individual commissions and a fairly competitive environment. Nobody openly fights over clients, but everyone knows that a good client can make a difference to your income for months. I met this particular client at an industry event. At the time, they were using another supplier, and they weren't particularly interested in changing. I didn't force the conversation. I followed up a few days later, sent our company profile, arranged an introductory meeting and gradually got them interested in what we offered. There were several meetings. Some were cancelled at the last minute. Their procurement officer asked questions that took days to resolve. Their finance department rejected our first quotation because it was above their budget. I went back to my manager several times to request a better price. Sometimes he approved it. Sometimes he told me to find a way to convince the client. Eventually, we got to the final stage. The client said they were ready to proceed, but their legal department still needed to review the agreement. Around that time, I had already booked a week of annual leave. I told my colleague, Daniel, that the client might contact the office while I was away. I gave him the contact details, explained the history of the negotiations and forwarded all the relevant emails. I also told him something important: "They are almost ready. Please don't let the conversation go cold. If they need anything, help them out. I will pick it up when I return." Daniel agreed. He was a good colleague, and I had covered for him on several occasions. I left for my holiday without thinking there would be a problem. Four days later, I received a message from him. The client had requested a final meeting. I replied that he should attend and keep me updated. He did. The following day, he sent another message. The client had agreed to the contract. I congratulated him and told him we should celebrate when I returned. I genuinely thought we had both contributed to a successful deal. I had no idea that my return to the office would turn it into one of the most uncomfortable situations of my career. – at Ikeja, Nigeria