The Company Play

One does not have to be Sherlock Holmes to develop a skill for noticing. Given time and practice, you can sit in a meeting and spot what was not said, what was rushed, who filibustered to avoid questions, who used diversions, and who sat quietly and then made a telling point. You can witness alliances and feuds, challenges and surrenders, and individuals whose specialty is the backroom deal. You can see when a person who seemed to lose did not, where a bluff has been called, and when someone fell on a sword. Finances aside, there is a reason why so many are reluctant to leave the workplace. It is often the grand stage of life. The plots can equal a Shakespearean comedy or tragedy and there is no admission charge. The acting is usually superb if only because so many of the players naturally take to their parts.