The Chasing of the Tails

I've been on conference calls that begin at 8 a.m. and last between two and four hours for over a month now. Every time I think they will end, some new debacle opens up and forces the project manager to schedule three or four more.  It is bringing out the Louis Black in my personality.

I think the problem here is inherent to the human condition. This sort of thing is currently happening at Large Corporate Telecom, but it has happened every single place I've ever worked. I don't think they are unique in their baffling behavior, however much I would love to believe it is true.  The problem is these meetings to which fifteen or so people are invited, but they don't all come at the same time - oh, no! - because then they might actually reach consensus.  Rather, we get six or seven at a time, and then those six or seven agree, then maybe three or four more show up and completely undo all the card houses built in the previous three or four days.  It is enough to make me want to rip my clothing in agony.  I would, in fact, if I could afford to buy new clothes.  It is starting to drive me to the point of hysterical laughter and zealous tap-dancing while on mute. 

Here's the problem with people:  They all have opinions.  People can't leave well enough alone.  People have to put their own unique mark on everything, especially when their companies are going through a merger and they're worried about their jobs.  I remember working in advertising - there, same problem, slightly different take - the creative people have to out-create each other on an hourly basis. It's an ego problem in advertising. I don't think it's necessarily an ego problem in today's case, rather a problem of "I wasn't paying attention because I was IMing with my recruiter" or "My boss just walked by, and I need to look Important and Busy" or even "I'm talking out my ass right now because I don't even know who I report to anymore."

Pick a reason, any reason. The result is Business Reality Television.  And man, does it suck.