Invitation to Management Lunch

Feel quite bad because I have not updated this blog for a while. Things have not been going too well lately. Work has been slightly overwhelming, I had a rotten birthday, and to top it off, failed my IPPT (Individual Physical Proficiency Test) so I will have to sign up for RT (Remedial Training) pretty soon. Mulling over how to tell my boss that I will have to go off early once a week.

Just changed jobs about 6 months ago and received my confirmation yesterday. Not that big a deal since there was no increment and I knew more or less that I would be receiving the confirmation (mainly from the fact that my boss is happily piling work on me). It’s rather depressing because I do not really want to stay on in the finance industry but have no idea what else I can do given my limited background and experience.

Anyway, this organisation I just joined holds a management lunch every month whereby 12 'lucky' staff would get the honour of having a meal with the Big Boss (equivalent to President / CEO in private companies). Well, about a month ago, I was one of the 'lucky' 12 selected to rub shoulders with the Big Boss.

Did not give it much thought at first. The invitation came via email from HR with the heading 'Invitation to Management Lunch'. I thought it was just another one of those many social gatherings involving hundreds of staff (which the organisation was very fond of doing) and decided to ignore it until another 'lucky' colleague came and asked me if I would be going. I shrugged my shoulders and said, "Nah, think I'll give it a miss."

My colleague's eyes widened. "But it’s lunch with the Big Boss, you need a special reason to not go, like you'll be going overseas, or some major operation that will require you to be hospitalised, or-"

So I read the email in more detail and realized that this was not just any social function involving hundreds of people, but an actual meet-your-Big Boss session involving only 12 people! And I was one of the 'lucky' 12! Which meant that unless I come up with a really good reason to exempt myself, I would definitely have to go.

Even though the management lunch was not something I particularly looked forward to, I was not too concerned until I mentioned it to my colleagues and direct boss. That was when I got worried:

Colleague A: "You'd better be careful. I heard our new Big Boss not a simple person. Better watch what you say."

Colleague B: "Don't worry lah. It's just a simple lunch. Everybody makes some small talk and it'll be over before you know it. Plus I heard the new Big Boss is quite a nice fellow."

Direct Boss: "This will be a very good opportunity to bring up certain issues and problems which we are facing as a department. For example, (insert long list of issues)."

Colleague C: "Good opportunity to stand out. Say the right thing and you will be remembered."

Colleague D: "Better not say too much. Say the wrong thing and you will be remembered."

Colleague E: “Wah, you so ‘lucky’ kenna management lunch. Got go buy 4D or not?”

By the time my colleagues had finished giving their opinions, I was a nervous wreck.

THANKFULLY, the whole incident was actually rather painless. The 12 of us turned up early, made some small talk and seated ourselves around the table. I found out that most of the other staff had been with the organisation for a few years and I was the most junior (5 months, not even a confirmed staff yet).

The Big Boss arrived slightly late, but he was most affable, greeting us with a warm smile and making us feel at ease. We did the usual round of introductions, settled down, and lunch was served. The spread was quite generous - curry fish, fried sotong, kang kong, and other good stuff. The BBQ chicken was most delicious.

However, we were too nervous to eat. The Big Boss kept the conversation very much alive by inviting everyone to share their thoughts on certain issues and I think nobody wanted to appear boorish by gorging away while others were talking.

I was also surprised by how frank and opened the others were. A mother of 2 shared that she felt the work pace was too hectic and she did not have enough time for her children ("I was working till the very last minute before I gave birth!"). Another staff complained about the red-tape he faced within his own department ("I don't see why I have to go through so many levels just to clear this simple thing!"). I kept a low profile and spent most of the time wondering whether I would appear too greedy if I took another slice of the BBQ chicken ("Can you pass the BBQ chicken please?").

To address a staff's comment that the workload was overwhelming, the Big Boss asked if the department had a flexi-hour scheme in place (i.e. the freedom to choose your own working hours, or work from home). One staff replied earnestly, "Yeah, you can choose to come in at 8am and go at 530pm, or come in at 830am and go at 6pm." I almost choked on my chicken.

It was over quite quickly. We thanked the Big Boss for lunch and dispersed. Still hungry, I went to the kitchen and helped myself to some peaches.

So, that's that. Kept a low profile and did not say or do anything that would make me memorable. Maybe the Big Boss will just remember me as the guy who kept eyeing the BBQ chicken.