Unfiltered Story #294214

I run a weekly Friday meeting, no one wants to be there but I changed it so you only have to attend once a month and only for 10 minuites.

Most people tow the line, a few people “forget ” but are quickly chewed out in the next meeting, as there are often seniour managers attending, they don’t do it again.

All apart from “Ricky” . Ricky recently changed jobs so needs to come to my meeting.
The first meeting he doesn’t attend, I give him a pass as he tells me “he forgot”.
The second time he declines because he “doesn’t have time”.
The third time he just doesn’t show, and on it goes.

After a while I receive a long email from Ricky’s boss, it goes something like this:

Ricky’s boss : Ricky, where are you with (project)?

Ricky : I’ve been really busy.

Ricky’s boss : I still need a regular update, this project is an international concern and millions are riding on it.

Ricky: i have been giving regular updates and the weekly meeting. I’ve heard (me) doesn’t do a great job sending out updates. He probably forgot to send it.

Ricky’s boss : is that correct (me)?

Me: hi both, I have sent Ricky 8 invitations to attend the weekly meeting and three emails to offer support offline. I put one meeting that was a one to one to catch up , these where all declined or not attended.

I didn’t get a response but Ricky suddenly started to attend the meeting , it turns out he really didn’t know what he was doing. Rather than take my help he just avoided me.