It turns out I like people.
I was meeting a client today for breakfast. I got to the restaurant first. After I took off my coat, I heard my name. I turned to see a table full of men. They were former colleagues of mine when I was at BEAP. There was the EVP, the presidents of a couple of divisions, the head of biz development, and the lead insight guy. We all had spent a lot of time together when we worked together working to shape the company. I could look around the table and, save the new guy whom I'd never met, I could think of times when every one of them had driven me crazy. I could think of examples for each of them when they - in my opinion - acted like complete turkeys. I could think of heated debates, disagreements, even tears and insults. And the amazing thing is that as quickly as I thought of those things, they were gone. I was genuinely happy to see these guys. The instant I saw them, I missed them. I headed toward the first of these guys with arms open and he was on his feet in a second. As I hugged him I looked over his shoulder at the next guy who said "Girl, how are you!?" and he got up. That's "give me a hug" language if I ever heard it and hug him I did. Knox was next. I really like Knox. Another hug and as I looked over his shoulder I saw the new guy. I don't know the new guy. But I'm on a roll by this time so I said to him, "I don't know you but get up cause I'm headed your way!" What a good sport, he was on his feet in a split second and we met with a hug rather than a handshake. My old boss was next. Hug. Then another guy who I admire. Hug.
It was a hugfest.
I loved working with them when I did work with them. I learned so much about myself, about business, about teams. It was so good to see them all.
And it was even better to walk away.
I'm exactly where I'm meant to be.
Comments