Coffee with the CEO
A couple of days ago, several colleagues and I had coffee with the Chief Executive Officer of the company, a middle-aged man of Hindu descent. Being new in the company, having coffee with the CEO is a privilege. Yet, more of being a privilege in itself, it has become a serendipitous moment to learn.
The CEO briskly went to the room and immediately updated us of the company’s accomplishments and plans for the balance year. Interrupted by momentary sips from his coffee paper cup, he addressed several concerns and entertained inquiry from us. In the course of our coffee time, a woman behind me raised her hand and threw a question. She was one of the business units’ staff following up on an initiative that seemed to be forgotten. I was struck with awe. A CEO being followed up by a staff in front of his subordinates surprised me.
Much more to my surprise the CEO addressed the query with humility and tack. “That’s right,” he acknowledged. The CEO recalled that the initiative has not progressed. “Nothing happened to it,” he further politely admitted. Then he pointed to the personnel-in-charge of the minutes and told that the question earlier asked be put in record to be discussed.
The CEO’s coffee time with my colleagues and I was a real pep talk. The managers were enthusiastic. The coffee tasted well. The group was brewing with energy. Nevertheless, my drive to excel at work neither came from the managers’ enthusiasm nor the coffee’s aroma but came from the CEO’s example of humility and professionalism. Because, no matter anybody puts it, being accountable to others and to his responsibilities is a wake-upper no coffee can match.
