Recently, I was asked to submit a topic and overview for a session at Novell's BrainShare 2008. I was very honored. I sent an email to my colleagues and received congratulatory responses. Most were the usual "That's cool!" or "Sweet, Dude!" , except from two that have become "legends" at the office for their personality traits.
"Song and Dance" and "Big Time", as they are known at the office, responded in their own unique ways. Allow me to paint a picture of each.
Song and Dance comes from a meticulous background, requiring him to follow instructions to a tee. This behavior has spilled over into his general personality. He actually reads EULAs before continuing on with a software install and never tries things to see the outcome. If it's not written exactly the way the manufacturer designed it, then the product is flawed and further use is forbidden. He also has a great need to question every action and has need to verify every action. He exhibits a need to explain, in great detail, the answer for any and every question presented him. There are no "yes or no" questions for Song and Dance.
Big Time or Mr. Awesome is headed for greatness, at least in his own mind. We all work for him and he will explain this to various vendors. It's hard to work around him because he is constantly on his phone arranging the next charity golf tournament or speaking to his attorney about his pending suits. He speaks in a strong, firm, matter-of-fact voice and is very opinionated. We have imagined him on a first date, (he's single, of course), and how he would be telling this "new" girl that he was on the Executive Fast Track for his company and after he cures cancer he should be up for his second Nobel prize.
Ok, you get the idea. Here is the responses I received from them..
Song and Dance sent a lengthy email and then wanted to discuss my views over lunch,
... That's great, Mike! Did you know that when I was in the service, I spoke on an occasion on aircraft maintenance and the great importance on keeping maintenance logs. Do you know how important it is to keep good logs? If there is any type of incident, they check those logs to determine the maintenance records and if the aircraft was maintained properly, according to FAA procedure, the logs were maintained properly. Back in the 1940's, they found that the problem with aircraft crashes weren't always pilot error. That sometimes, the aircraft maintenance had been done hastily and improperly, if not negligibly logged, if done at all! This spurned the industry ....
At that point, I pondered the notion of life after death and decided to just delete the email.
Big Time didn't respond with email because he didn't have time, but he did call me and here's a transcript from that conversation...
Mike! This is Awesome! I think it's super you have been given this opportunity! I got your email and think you are a tremendous part of the team. I really think the synergy of the team is growing. I can see you posses the kind of skills that will propel this team to accomplishing great things. Hold on Buddy.
(I listen as he talks to someone else)
... This is Awesome! Yeah? Excellent. No, you tell them that my employees cannot open Word documents and if they can't resolve this issue, pronto, I'll recall that PO for my next order. Thanks. See you at the club.
(Back to me)
Mike! Sorry about that. Vendors... Anyway, Congrats buddy! I'll have to take you to lunch next week. Gotta run. Later.
Whew! Notice, I didn't say anything? He wouldn't have heard me because my voice gets drowned out over the sound of how awesome he is.
I just thought it was neat-o that I had been given my very own nut.
