How to Avoid Human Obstacles
When someone stands in your way, adjust your path.
People love storming out of meetings. We have one guy who does that on a weekly basis. He never has much of a reason, other than seeing what he can take from someone else.
It works for him, with mixed results. He teaches two days a week, and has the rest of his time to himself. He does whatever he wants. He has his own printer, while the rest of us share the office copier. Everyone bends over backwards to please him, but it’s still not enough.
We all pretty much hate this guy, and we avoid him whenever possible. Nobody wants him on committees. We don’t trust him to do anything, so he gets away with much less work.
His students lie on his course evaluations, because they’re afraid he’ll find out who they are and punish them.
So he thinks he’s a great teacher.
He’s not invited to parties. Of course, he’s oblivious to our disdain. He tries to schmooze on campus when he’s in a good mood. If I spot him coming, I duck behind one of our stately building’s Corinthian columns. If I can’t find one, a trash can will have to do.
A conversation with him can last hours. I use the word “conversation” loosely, because it’s mainly just him talking at us. One time, he…
