My ex has a "top level" job. She worked from home today, managing a top level conference call. This saves the business a lot of money, and is in no way is a pile of crap, to let egotistical morons wear pajamas, stay home, and get paid more to do nothing. The following transcript is totally imagined. It's fictional. It bears no comparison to reality.
Ex: ok I'm beginning this conference call as in the most important person here. I'm actually the most important person in the world. You're only here to listen, agree and tell me things I want to hear. Also laugh at any joke I tell. I'll now do a roll call of who's here, like I'm a teacher and you're all 5 years old. Does everyone agree ?
Anon: Can I just ask one relevant question first ?
Ex: No, absolutely not. I'll email you later you .... Shut up now or I'll humiliate you in front of everyone. Ok ? (Small laugh). Ok then I win. (Roll call continues).
Ex: ok we need to discuss crucial issue, X does everyone understand. This is a high level risk. A major risk. The risk is real. I've got a risk register. The register measures risk. I like to say "risk" a lot. Then I say I'm a risk taker. This underlines how brave and important I am. Later I'll ask for feedback and you all better acknowledge this, or there will be problems. Do you understand ? (Murmurs of agreement).
Ex: I've done all the talking so far, but I'm very comfortable with that. Does anyone else dare speak?
Anon: hi I'd like to ask about the X issue, as that's what we are meant to discuss ?
Ex: bitter laugh. I'll email you later you idiot. You're finished. Clear out your desk.
Ex: I think this is great, a really great meeting, of course it is. I organized it. I led it all, it's achieved all of its goals. Does anyone want to help their career by agreeing ?
Bob: hi I'm Bob. I also have a gigantic ego. I want to talk about risk. I like risk, but I'm not allowed to play Xbox after 9pm. My wife says that's my bedtime.
Ex: that's great Bob, but I'm cutting you off as it's not about me.
Anon woman: I'd like to say something about the X issue. Why don't we liaise with Y group as they have the stats and dealt with this before ?
Ex: wow that's a good idea. I've written that down. Now it's my idea. It belongs to me bitch. How old are you ? You better be older than me. Are you trying to take over? I'll email you later. You're finished. Ha ha ha. Everyone laugh. (Murmurs of laughter). I'm very threatened by other women, if there are other women on this call, they need to hang up right now. I mean it.
Ex: ok I think we can wrap up early as I'm bored, and I need to phone a lot of people and tell them how crap you all are. Does any one have any questions ? If you say yes you can stay behind and I'll let you know what a mistake that was.
(Murmurs of agreement)
Meeting ends.
I can pretty much guarantee that these people all wear suits when they meet up.