It was another meeting. She was on a new committee. What had she read, just yesterday about committees? Oh, yes, it was something about how a camel looks like a horse that was planned by a committee. And that was the tone this meeting was taking.
The group was diverse. Members included higher up administration, middle workers and even support staff in the form of secretaries. And let’s not forget the stupid girls. The experience level was just as varied. There were veterans with 30 years and newbies with 3 months. And with that came a multiplicity of viewpoints.
Isn’t it curious how knowledge is discounted with age? She knew it happened. In fact, hadn’t she thought her own mother ignorant at times? This was somewhat different because it was work experience. The amazing thing was that she could actually see it happening. The stupid girls made sure. Expertise seemed to count for nothing. The inexperienced bucked the pioneers, shooting down or elaborating until the simple became convoluted.
Ideas were tossed in and thrown out. Conversation peaked and lagged. There wasn’t a vote but finally the chair got a consensus and wrote it on chart paper, an act that makes it inarguable.
The assembly ended at noon and each was dismissed for lunch. The afternoon would lead to the mundane work routine that had been established. She quickly ate and tried to catch up on the many email and phone call messages that were left.
What? Seriously? Yes, there it was, right on the screen; a complicated, tortuous email from one of the rookies. It was a better idea because the stupid girl felt the group didn’t have a focus. And better because it was her idea. There was an attempt at lightness of tone but it was transparent. The stupid girl was making it obvious that she held much more intelligence than the group. If that weren’t bad enough some of the other stupid girls replied and validated the narcissism. Fortunately the fearless leader made no comment. Hopefully the silence lasts. Possibly it will send a message.
She thought if she has to spend time on the committee she’d just as soon the strategy the committee formulated remains constant, after the meeting ends. In the meantime she’s wondering to herself if she ought not to call in dead for the next meeting.
The above is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual committee meetings or persons, stupid or not, is entirely coincidental.
Stupid girl, stupid girls, stupid girls…
I guess I’m an introvert. It’s not that I don’t like people. I do. Some of them anyway. But it doesn’t bother me in the least to spend time alone, with the radio or television in the background, working or calmly knitting or playing with yarn.
Where, oh where, have the smart people gone?
I think that any of us that have ever been on a few (hundred) committees can relate!
ReplyDeleteDon't ya know! ;)
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