Chapter 10. 4:00 PM Chad's Production Meeting: Just the Facts, Ma'am
4:01: Chad Relinquishes Some Power
The production team is seated around the table in the big conference room, with Chad, as usual, seated at the head and Randy next to him. Mike comes in, moves a free chair away from the table, and settles in at the back of the room across the table from Chad and Randy.
"Mike's here to take a gander at how we do things at our end of the hall," Chad explains. This doesn't raise an eyebrow for the production team. Everyone knows Mike and Chad are buddies and like to exchange notes frequently. "Mike, please jump in to lend a hand or ask a question, if you feel the urge." Mike just nods. Per a previous agreement with Chad, Mike will just observe. He'll have no speaking role in the meeting.
"Well, Randy, why don't we make this your rodeo for the day?" Chad turns to Randy. "Go ahead and take control." This is a complete surprise to everyone sitting around the table, especially Randy. Chad isn't only the boss of the division; he makes himself the boss of every meeting as well. Production is no exception.
Chad hadn't planned on any change of plans until he saw Mike coming in the door of the conference room just a moment before. That—coupled with the realization that he would be giving Tracy the go-ahead to approach Randy tomorrow—caused him to abruptly change the protocol and decide to make Randy the boss for the meeting. He'd look munificent to Mike and maybe show Randy how much he was appreciated ...
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