Bhí sé déanach i mí na Samhna i mBaile Átha Cliath, agus bhí boladh geire caife ar fud an oifige.

It was late November in Baile Átha Cliath, and there was a strong smell of coffee throughout the office.

Bhí an áit gnóthach le hullmhúcháin deireadh bliana, mar a bhíodh gach bliain ar nós.

The place was bustling with end-of-year preparations, as it was every year.

Lasmuigh, bhí fuacht an fhómhair ag mothú go tréan, ach istigh, bhí atmaisféar te ar nós lá Nollag i Meán Fómhair.

Outside, the autumn chill was strong, but inside, it felt warm, like Christmas in September.

Bhí Aisling ina suí ag a deasc, ag cur na bailchríoch deiridh ar an tuarascáil a bhí sí ag obair air le míonna anuas.

Aisling was sitting at her desk, putting the finishing touches on the report she had been working on for months.

Bhí sí neirbhíseach, míchompordach agus ag smaoineamh faoina bualadh súil le Ciarán, a boss.

She was nervous, uncomfortable, and thinking about her upcoming meeting with Ciarán, her boss.

Bhí súil aici dul chun cinn a fháil.

She hoped to get a promotion.

Bhí sí ag iarraidh a bheith ina bainisteoir tionscnaimh.

She wanted to become a project manager.

Ní raibh sé éasca di.

It wasn't easy for her.

Bhí impleachtaí seachtracha tar éis tionchar a imirt ar chuid dá cuid tionscadal.

External factors had impacted some of her projects.

Bhí Siobhán ina suí trasna uirthi, ag críochnú ríomhphoist eile.

Siobhán was sitting across from her, finishing another email.

Bhí an bheirt acu sa rás céanna, ag iarraidh an post céanna a fháil.

Both were in the same race, vying for the same position.

Ach bhí Siobhán riamh níos rathúla sna tionscadail le déanaí.

But Siobhán had recently been more successful with her projects.

Aisling bhí imní uirthi nach mbeadh sí in ann dul i ngleic leis an iomaíocht atá rompu.

Aisling was worried she wouldn’t be able to compete with the competition they faced.

Bhí an t-am tagtha le haghaidh an agallamh feidhmíochta.

The time had come for the performance review.

Ghlan Aisling a tuáille agus chuaigh sí ar aghaidh go dtí oifig Ciarán.

Aisling tidied her workspace and headed to Ciarán's office.

Bhí an oifig maisithe le duilleoga ór an fhómhair.

The office was decorated with golden autumn leaves.

Bhí Ciarán díreach tar éis filleadh ó chruinniú eile.

Ciarán had just returned from another meeting.

Bhí sé ag tabhairt fáilte mhór di mar a shuigh sí síos.

He warmly welcomed her as she sat down.

"D'inis tú scéal ar son na foirne," a dúirt Ciarán go séimh, ag cur fáilte roimpi.

"You’ve told a story on behalf of the team," Ciarán said gently, welcoming her.

"Inis dom faoi na rudaí a cheaptar nach ndeachaigh go maith.

"Tell me about the things you think didn’t go well."

"D'fhéach Aisling suas.

Aisling looked up.

Bhí sé am hereascúlachta.

It was time for a response.

Níor mhéad aici ach na rudaí a chuaigh mícheart a phlé.

She only aimed to discuss the things that went wrong.

"Ciarán," a thosaigh sí go ciúin.

"Ciarán," she began quietly.

"Bhí an obair dian i mbliana.

"The work was tough this year.

Bhí giolcacha leagtha amach nárbh fhéidir liom a thuar.

There were unexpected challenges I couldn't foresee.

Ach tá foireann iontach againn.

But we have a fantastic team.

Táim bródúil as mo rannpháirtíocht, is cuma gur bhruigh roinnt constaicí.

I’m proud of my contribution, despite the obstacles."

"D'éist Ciarán go cúramach.

Ciarán listened carefully.

Bhí aithne aige ar an stroic, na héilimh.

He knew the struggles, the demands.

"Aisling, tá féith an ionracais buailte i do labhairt.

"Aisling, there’s a note of honesty in your words.

Aithním an iarracht a rinne tú thíos agus tá meas mór agam air.

I recognize the effort you’ve put in here, and I highly value it.

Tá tionscnamh nua ar an amharclann, mise a bheidh ag suiteachas ar dtús.

There’s a new initiative on the horizon, and I’ll be directing it to you first."

"Bhí áthas ar Aisling, agus ionadh uirthi.

Aisling was overjoyed and surprised.

"Gheobhaidh tú ardú céime má leanann tú ar aghaidh mar seo," a dúirt sé, ag tabhairt dóibh próifíl ard a roinnt.

"You'll get a promotion if you continue like this," he said, offering her a high-profile assignment.

Níorbh fhurasta é, ach d'fhoghlaim sí gur fiú an macántacht agus an obair chomhoibríoch.

It wasn’t easy, but she had learned that honesty and collaboration were worthwhile.

Ní raibh a luach féin á thomhas amháin le rath doigh.

Her value wasn't measured solely by tangible success.

Bhí sí ag barr a gairme, agus bhí todhchaí gheal rompu.

She was at the peak of her career, and the future was bright ahead of her.