‘That was an interesting conversation. I’m sure I remember languages featuring on your CV, and in particular your semi-fluency in French. Thought it would come in handy in dealing with the Paris office.’

‘Is that right? Must have slipped my mind.’

Emmanuel smiles at me. ‘You’re right not to get into all that. It’s only day one and you’re impressing me already, Alex.’

I’m pleased with this early feedback, but decide there’s no need to say anything. I simply return her smile and approach the table and its occupants, at whom Danielle is already talking animatedly. I’m relieved to see that none of the others look too heavily engaged with her.

‘Everyone, this is Alex,’ Emmanuel announces as we reach the table.

‘Hi.’ I give them a friendly wave, which is immediately mirrored by all, except Danielle.

As I look around at the Birmingham-based part of my new project team, I feel quite encouraged. There’s five of them, including Danielle: two men who look around my age or slightly younger and two who look like they’re in their late forties or early fifties.

‘I’ll do the introductions,’ says Emmanuel. ‘This is Felix, Dhruv, John and Aadesh.’

I nod round the table at each of my new colleagues, knowing I’ll never remember their names straight off.

‘It’s so great to meet you all.’ I smile my most warm and open smile at them.

‘Felix is the change manager on the project,’ says Emmanuel. ‘He’ll be working closely with you to make sure people are ready for the new ways of working. Isn’t that right, Felix?’

‘It is, yes,’ he confirms with a strong Germanic accent. ‘I am looking forward to working with you, Alex.’

‘Me too.’ I meet his kind eyes and already feel like we’ll get along. ‘Where are you from, if you don’t mind me asking?’

‘I am from the north of Germany. From Hamburg.’

‘Well, that will certainly help with communications with the Frankfurt office.’ I notice Danielle out of the corner of my eye. ‘And Danielle is our French-speaking champion, I gather.’

Danielle looks immediately smug, which I note with interest sparks some subtle negative reactions round the table.

‘All we need now is a resident Spanish speaker and we’ve got a full house. Anyone?’ I look round the table jovially. ‘No? Oh well, I’m sure Google Translate will come in handy there.’

‘Dhruv and I can speak Punjabi,’ Aadesh offers. ‘If there is ever the need.’

‘In this connected world, it’s good to have as many bases covered as possible.’ I grin at Aadesh, mentally filing away that piece of information.

‘Everyone pretty much speaks English anyway.’ Danielle divebombs the conversation and, seemingly without realising it, her own usefulness as a French speaker. ‘It’s people in the UK who are ignorant and don’t bother learning other languages. I, for one, have made it my personal mission to speak at least three languages fluently.’

She’s dying for me to ask which ones, but I can see that she’s deflating the positive and collaborative ambience at the table, so I decide to move things on.