The meeting notice popped up on my computer screen.
“Manager/Lori – Discussion. In office. 3:30 pm.
Accept? Decline?”
I noticed the lack of details.
I noticed the meeting was scheduled for 45 minutes from the present time.
I noticed it was in an office with a door, something somewhat unusual in our cube culture.
I accepted. And pondered. And fretted. This had the signs that indicated it could most likely be negative.
I racked my brain. Had I said anything too terribly politically incorrect recently? Had I missed any deadlines? Had I inadvertently offended someone I shouldn’t have?
3:28 pm. I walked to my manager’s cube. “Hi…” I offered, cheerily.
“Please go on in; I’ll be there in a moment,” all business and matter of fact.
As I walked the few paces to the office, I decided to use the strategy of the best defense is a good offense. Or something like that.
She sat down across from me, stone-faced.
“So,” I began, “the details surrounding this meeting were incredibly vague.”
She nodded.
“Well, I wondered what this could be about. I thought a lot about what’s been going on over the past several weeks. Quite surprisingly, for once I can honestly say I can’t think of anything I’ve done wrong. Unusual, but true.”
She finally laughed. “No, you’ve actually done several things right. I’m offering you a promotion.”
I like to think I’m a relatively composed person. But at that point all I could say was, “Really?” “Really?” “You’re offering me a promotion?”
Thankfully she didn’t take my inquisitiveness as a sign to retract the promotion. She explained the details, had me sign some papers, then it was back to business as usual. Not a bad way to end the day.
LoriLoo 