#awkward. A Lesson on the Importance of Reading the Room

There was a time before Teams, Zoom, and other video-conference technologies when people sat around a table using a device known as a “phone,” which allowed them to hear but not see each other.

That's when the problem began.

During a project status meeting between our company and a client, I was on-site with the customer, while the rest of our company's project team joined from the home office. As we waited for the meeting to start, our project manager felt compelled to comment on the client's project manager. “Well, you know how Dale is. He likes to control everything and thinks he’s the smartest person in the room.”

The issue was that Dale was actually in the room! Along with his boss and other colleagues from his company.

#awkward

Dale responded, “I’m sorry you feel that way; I believe we’re done here for today.” Needless to say, the relationship between our two companies was never the same. Things gradually deteriorated, resulting in our company losing a valuable client.

The moral? Be aware of whom you are talking to, whether virtually or in person. Recognize the position, influence, and authority of everyone present, and strive not to insult them unwittingly!