I didn't die

It was a very interesting day for me at my place of employment.

But before I tell you the story, I have to give you some backround though. You see, I am an introvert. Big time. My Myers-Briggs profile for introversion is off the chart. I believe that I am at the outer limit of the extreme end of the introverted spectrum. I believe that I have introverted blood flowing through my veins. I will do everything and anything not to call attention to myself, I will do anything that I have to to stay in the backround. Hello, wallflower. I am very content to be out of the spotlight. I don’t like crowds. I hate to shop. I sometimes do not leave my house for entire weekends. Just so you know.

So, today, at work, my boss calls.

Boss: Hi, guess what’s scheduled at 1:30??...big pause..
Me: I have NO idea.
Boss: Well, it’s the IT meeting and guess what’s on the agenda...your project. BIG PAUSE. So, I don’t want IT to talk to it, I want you to come and pitch it to the CEO. Be there at 1:30. Bring your status page and talk to it.

"CLICK"

I immediately break out in a cold sweat. It’s noon. I have an hour and a half to worry and prepare. Oh gosh, I hope I don’t die. Better yet, I hope that I don’t make a fool out of my boss (a VP) and have his peers tell him that he made the biggest mistake of his corporate career by hiring me as one of his staff. So my stomach knots and I immediately feel sick cause you see, I AM AN INTROVERT.

I panic.

The clock ticks down.

So, I try to rehearse. My mouth feels like it’s full of sand.

When I get there, my boss says:
Boss: You’re on first.
Me: First?
Boss: Yep. Go up front, look him in the eye and give him the status.

So, I did. I talked and yes, I made some mistakes but I caught my boss’ eye. He was smiling.

Mr. CEO looked up at me and said:

CEO: OUTSTANDING JOB...Terrific work

And he shook my hand and thanked me.

I was out of there in 3 minutes.

And I didn’t die.