Maybe some of you work in big companies just like me. If you do, I am sure from time to time, you find yourself in a situation in which you're in a big meeting, with a lot of the heavy hitters in your organization.
Many times, these heavy hitters (or, people that pay my salary, thankyouverymuch) will get a laugh out of the crowd at someone else's (most likely, a colleague) expense.
Let me explain.
They are often "inside jokes" that no one outside of the organization would ever understand. A scenerio might be something like this:
Bob: And so, today I'll present this quarter's numbers, and hopefully, they'll be clear enough for everyone - even Jim - to understand!
The crowd roars with laughter... Jim might stand up, take a bow, and then sit back down.
Usually this type of interaction between, say, a superior and someone with less power might indicate said superior likes the other. In other words, if you are the butt of a joke, you are well-loved.
It's never anything malicious; it is mostly in good fun... but, well, you get it.
Here is where the disturbing part comes in.
I was at a meeting this morning and a similar joke/jab was taken.
I laughed. Out loud. Like, a real laugh. And, I think it might have happened twice.
Usually, I will roll my eyes, turn to a co-worker next to me and exchange some sort of look that says "Get a load of that guy!" or something fun... but this time. I laughed.
Many times, these heavy hitters (or, people that pay my salary, thankyouverymuch) will get a laugh out of the crowd at someone else's (most likely, a colleague) expense.
Let me explain.
They are often "inside jokes" that no one outside of the organization would ever understand. A scenerio might be something like this:
Bob: And so, today I'll present this quarter's numbers, and hopefully, they'll be clear enough for everyone - even Jim - to understand!
The crowd roars with laughter... Jim might stand up, take a bow, and then sit back down.
Usually this type of interaction between, say, a superior and someone with less power might indicate said superior likes the other. In other words, if you are the butt of a joke, you are well-loved.
It's never anything malicious; it is mostly in good fun... but, well, you get it.
Here is where the disturbing part comes in.
I was at a meeting this morning and a similar joke/jab was taken.
I laughed. Out loud. Like, a real laugh. And, I think it might have happened twice.
Usually, I will roll my eyes, turn to a co-worker next to me and exchange some sort of look that says "Get a load of that guy!" or something fun... but this time. I laughed.
I mean, the joke was funny. The timing was perfect and everyone could relate. Not laughing might have downgraded company morale. I was just doing my part.
Still, the fact that I missed an eye-rolling opportunity is a real red flag for me.
Am I losing my sarcasm and sinister wit? Will I be able to see through it all? Did someone slip me a guest pass to a country club??
Someone, please, tell me it's not all lost!
Posts
