Lunching With The Bosses

I am very picky with bosses. Either I have a boss whom I can look up to, or I'll quit corporate and be my own boss. It drives me nuts if my boss does not know what the difference between you're and your. It happened in the past. I just couldn't stop rolling my eyes. Am I bad?

This time, I allowed myself to get sucked into New York's definition of a corporate life and I embraced being this fish in a big pond. I allowed myself because I know that bosses here will challenge me a lot, and will not make my eyes roll.

As I had said how I love the culture where I work now, I love the lunch culture at best. A couple of days ago, I lunched with the VP of Consumer Marketing at this nice Japanese place a few blocks from the office. I have to admit, I prepared for that meeting and wrote down "intelligent" questions to ask about the business and the industry... peppered with a little bit about personal life. It went pretty well and our talk was very fluid. I like this big boss. Her smarts shone through even without her trying. She even paid for my huge beef salad! :)

I had been taking advantage of this lovely lunch culture, that I keep on looking up the "big names" in the business and try to network as much as I can. I mean, why not?

I took a chance at setting an appointment last week with the President of Consumer Marketing. According to people, he is the busiest person ever. It will take me many bump-offs and rescheduling before he can accept my invitation. More like months. So I thought, I'll just try and see.

Incidentally, on my way out of the office today, I bumped into him in the elevator alone! I introduced myself and acknowledge that I knew him, and that I had sent an invite to have lunch sometime... and that I understand that he's busy... no pressure whatsoever.... that we can reschedule... blah blah blah. I was totally caught off-guard, that I blabbered defensively. He was so calm and just said, "Hey it's no problem. It's in my schedule, we can do it tomorrow." My jaw dropped... oh my God. He said yes! (Thought balloon: I'm not worthy! Hahaha.) But I thought, this is great and I am looking forward to it.

I hope tomorrow's lunch will go well like the one a few days back. I have got to prepare even more intelligent questions (whatever those are), so our time will be worthwhile. Hopefully, one day, I will be in his shoes - paying lunch for an intern, or just being the boss people can look up to.