Hitting Reply with a jumpy trigger finger is common yet dangerous in the corporate environment. For those finding themselves not knowing when to walk away, I bring the insightful wisdom of Greg Schwem:
May 18, 2009
May 13, 2009
To be quite honest.
At this juncture I’m merely a desk jockey, granted my position in this mega corporation based solely on social capital. My first year with the company, I got down and dirty, and proved I could deliver the goods. The “Suits” tell me they are molding me because in the foreseeable future they believe I will be in charge of them someday. I just need to keep up with the heavy lifting. Hopefully, they aren’t blowing smoke up my skirt, and maybe I’ll make it to the top without hitting my head on the glass ceiling.
Per company policy, you’re fired.
Monday, 8:15 a.m.
The weekly agenda review begins in 15 minutes. I shove a random assortment of papers into a manilla folder: charts, graphs, projections. My Blackberry rattles across the compressed wood desktop, and I know it’s Greg tracking me down. Every Monday, he ritually attempts to siphon my contributions to the agenda review in an effort to dovetail into his own empty suggestions. Unfortunately for us both, I have been unable to think of even recycled contributions this morning.
Monday, 8:22 a.m.
I take the elevator to the lobby and shoot across the marble floors towards the Starbuck’s kiosk. My trousers vibrate down my right leg and I realize two things: I’m going to spend the entire day in meetings accomplishing little actual work; and, it’s been two weeks since I’ve had sex.
May 9, 2009
May 7, 2009
TGIFace Time.
Friday, 10:30 a.m.
Someone pings me for a 3:00 roundtable. I delete the invite, and scoff at the monitor.
I resent the work-week for including Fridays. As such, I mentally checked out of work roughly two hours ago.
The end cap of the five-day stretch is designed specifically for late morning arrivals; two-to-three martini lunches; and, an opportunity to saddle up to the nearest cubicle that isn’t your own to hash out weekend plans with coworkers. At any point during any Friday, try to locate a coworker at her desk. She or he won’t be there.
So, then, there’s really only one thing to accomplish in the office on Friday: face time.
