Full Circle Meeting

When I was first starting in the industry, I had a meeting with my boss and a group of oil field leaders. I remember that I got there first and was shown to a conference room. Several of the guys hung out with me to keep me company while we waited for the bosses.

My boss at that time was a lady we shall call BKB. A great boss. I still see her and get advice from her when I can. But I thought it was interesting, she may have been the last one to show up . . . in fact I'm sure of it, . . .and when she did the tone and tenor of the meeting completely changed. I remember it well. 

It was stark because I came from a world at that time that was all Army. Every meeting in the Rangers was the same. It was tough, it was quick, it was organized, and it was useful. The team leaders and squad leaders were rough and mean, the privates were scared to death, and the Spec 4 Mafia patrolled the area, telling people to do pushups. 

Still, when I was working for BKB I thought that she was plugged in, I thought, despite being a woman, that she was plugged in and accepted. Then, BOOM! it was at that moment that I realized there was a dynamic that I needed to watch, . . . a mars and venus dynamic. 

My meeting today put me in the place of BKB. 

I knew it was going to be an interesting dynamic. My boss right now is a woman. She's probably five years older than I am, and she's been with the organization for 15-20 years, so she has tons of industry and institutional knowledge. Our CLO is also a terrific and dynamic dame. She's someone I actually look up to for her motivation, spirit, drive and smarts. Then one of my colleagues was there as well, another femme. So I was outnumbered. Even the candidate we were interviewing was female, so I realized I was the BKB in the group. 

What did I do? I sat back and enjoyed it. Usually, I try to have a strict, purpose-filled agenda, but like my Army times. Not this time. It became a great and raucous, wide-ranging discussion, and it was for the most part, very successful. At least it was from my perspective. 

Next, I need to wonder if BKB did that when she was in meetings. Did she sit back and let the guys go? Did she notice the dynamic and just let the meeting go on its own accord?

Now, I guess I know what our next coffee discussion will cover.