this post was submitted on 11 Mar 2024
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I had to give a report to our board of directors on Friday. I almost never do this, but a major project I'm leading up isn't going well. It's significantly delayed, and my boss, the CEO, thought I should be the one to tell them. Not because he's throwing me under the bus, but because I know the details. So I had to deliver the less than exciting news.
When I spoke to my boss like a week ago, he did tell me to be candid, that I don't have to lie or hide anything, because it's not like the board wasn't aware there were problems. And he also reminded me that we're not the first company to ever have a major project go sideways; that our board members probably dealt with similar issues in their workplaces. In a way, both things things helped allay my fears.
Honestly though, the report went well. Sure, the board was concerned and had some questions, but mainly sympathetic. They understood that this was mainly the fault of the vendor we're using, even though I told the truth and said that some of the delays are due to issues on our side. But I said we'd keep plugging away, while also looking for other vendors who might be able to step in.
And I wasn't as nervous as I normally am doing big reports like this (though by the end, I did feel a single bead of sweat drop down the side of my head). In a way, it was also a good training opportunity for me. Sometimes, you have to deliver bad news to leadership. It also puts some of the onus on them to figure things out. So I'm glad I did that.
Congrats! I’m pretty socially anxious but for some reason I’m kind of fine at work. Talking in a straightforward way about work stuff I know well gives me heaps of confidence. It just feels good being the one that knows the details and getting that spark of understanding lit around me. Maybe it’s the same for you :)
My colleagues are still surprised I just crumble and disappear at parties though I think.
Thanks! Honestly, I think it's more of a group size thing.
I'm much better with smaller groups of a handful of people. Like even having to give a report in a regular staff meeting, to the other 13 or so people I've work with everyday for years, gets my pulse moving a bit faster. Idk. That said, knowing it's a weakness of mine, I've tried to make an effort to get better at it over the years. As I've told some of my younger colleagues and friends, just because one works in IT doesn't mean they don't have to talk to people. It's an important part of the job; any job, really.
As far as parties, that I'm OK with. Usually because there's a little bit of that good ole' "social lubricant" in the mix! I've (half-)seriously considered having a drink before a presentation to a bigger group before, lol. Probably a good thing I've never actually done it though!