Huge yellow suns, calm white sand beaches, coconut vendors and grinning natives- these are the images those neat little books and brochures would have you associate with the islands.  But, these as true representations as they can be, are, as anyone will guess, not all there is to the tale.  There’s rain in these parts, seas get rough, coconut vendors unfriendly and grinning natives do know how to scowl.

Of course, I knew all of this before moving to the islands. I have been alive long enough to know that there are always combinations at play in everything.  My belief is that everything in this world has just the right mixture in it- whether we see it that way or not.  That’s just nature’s way. And I like to mimic nature’s way.  This is why I always, no matter where I am, surround myself with a strange and right mix of people.

Take my various managers for instance.  There have been times, during my random “night meetings” when managers get politely-rowdy and I would look over my eclectic crew with the slightest admiration. I know these people better than I know myself. I know them inside out- their mannerisms, their ambitions, their life stories, how different they are and their thinking I don’t know what they think about me or how they really feel about each other.

Take John*- the very dark-skinned and forever smiling human resource manager with the lazy eye. He makes fun of his appearance before anyone ever does. He grins always, but really resents the other managers- he knows they do not respect the work he does and think him a “wimp”. John loves the law. He goes out of his way to ensure he’s always in agreement with it.  He is, however, always in argument with his growing bald spot and shaves his head religiously to keep up his end of the disagreement. He loves cricket and as a teenager dreamed of being the greatest batsman the Caribbean would ever see. Now, he lives vicariously through his teenage son upon whom he dotes.  He dotes on his wife too.

Then there is Nathan*- the tall, fair skinned and forever wide-eyed sites manager. He considers himself the best of the bunch- the brawn that gets things done. He has been married for 12 years- with no children. Well, none that he would claim.  Before I arrive at meetings, he always spends five minutes jokingly mourning the fact that his wife still lives.  He is known for having many women.  He is always the first to suggest some shortcut- some way around some law or convention. He silently disagrees with many of my decisions and daydreams every second about what he would do if he were “big boss”.

Another pick from my eclectic pack would be Sahanna*- ever so conscious that she is the only female manager in her particular company. She doesn’t know it- but she’s also the only female and youngest manager in my employ.  Sahanna pitches herself as the “strong, independent woman”- which she is- at times that matter most. But, she has this way about her.  Other managers would say “We should….”  Sahanna says “I think we should…” or she always begins “I don’t know if you’ll agree….”  Once, when in University, she lived off $20 for two weeks- rice and corned beef every day. For all her liberal talk, she isn’t very open-minded. Then again, very few people ever truly are. But she is also what very few people ever are- honest.

When it comes to people- it’s good to have the right mix surrounding you.

(V)Damien

*Names have been altered.