- I was very shy during my teens and early twenties.
- I'm usually nervous and awkward around people I perceive as important.
- I worked at that big, crooked E company for a few years - where, generally speaking, you were NOBODY if your title didn't include the words 'vice', 'president', 'managing' or 'director'.
- I have never thought of myself as being 'all that', despite many attempts by others to correct (or at least amend) this thinking.
- Despite landing in a fabulous place (the Blue Horse) after the crooked E went the way of the brontosaurus...it took me well over a year to even speak to the remaining two founders of the company (see item 3 above).
- My title still does not contain any of the key words mentioned in item 3 above.
- Even having been given a foreign assignment in a company that really doesn't do much of that, I still viewed myself as an average (what I like to call) corporate flunky until very recently, and frankly still consider myself that on most days.
That being said...imagine my own surprise at myself after this little episode unfolded last week during a very short visit to the Houston office.
[OF = Office Friend; BHF=Blue Horse Founder]
Me: Hi! Are we going to lunch? Where's Marketing Manager?
OF1: She's finishing up a meeting with BHF #1.
Me: REALLY? Where are they??
OF1: Office number blah blah down the hall.
Me: I'll be right back. [walk to the specified office, knocking expectantly on the open door as I enter the room, which also included External Executive Management Consultant Lady]
Marketing Manager and BHF #1 [simultaneously]: DOVIE!! How are you? When did you get in (...and various other greetings)?
Me: I'm just here for a couple of meetings and lunch, but had to come and hug your neck*, BHF #1!
BHF #1 [already standing]: Get over here! It's so good to see you!!
Me: I'll let you get back to meeting, but had to interrupt to say hi. [walk back to marketing department area.]
Me: Did you know BHF #1 is in the office?
OF2: Yeah...he's just in to meet with a few people today.
Me: I just had to run over and get a hug. [pause] You know, I can't believe I just did that without thinking!
To be fair, the Blue Horse is a VASTLY different place to work than the crooked E was...but still...wow! Funny how time changes things.
*Yes, I actually said "hug your neck" - I'll never be able to deny my Texas country roots.
2 comments:
That is WAY COOL, Dovie! See, you are "all that," just like we said.
By the way, which guy at the crooked E was the "Vice Lord"?
Funny thing about personal perceptions ... we never think we're all that.
Perhaps it might be interesting to know what other people think of us, but I'd prefer the need to be humbled...it gives you more control than you think.
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