Yet Another Benefit of Playing D&D: Dealing with Problem Board Members

[Asmor]

She handed me bios of everyone that was going to be at the diner and I was to memorize them. I knew their names (with pictures), birthdays, spouses, kids, what schools they went to, their professional history, and other personal tidbits.

That's... actually kinda creepy.

Plus, imagine what would happen if, somehow, someone found a file filled with papers listing a bunch of business people with all their personal details on it. Would be difficult to explain, I think.

 

[Asmor]

Throw in that half of them had fangs and you've got Vampire: the Masquerade!

Well, it was a bunch of business people, so I think the existence of fangs was implied.

j/k, no offense to any actual business people out there.

 

[jmucchiello]

She coached me on what we were going to say and what we were going to stay away from....it was sweet...it seemed like a typical diner date for her...but for me it seemed like a political RPG...

What was their CRs? Did you level?

 

[jdrakeh]

That's... actually kinda creepy.

The 'faux couple' ploy is much more common in big business than people like to think. The truth is, many business folks respond better to married executives than to single executives.

 

[sinecure]

Way to go Einan. Those are 5 excellent suggestions. I especially like number three where you state your positions, seek common ground, and then build from there.

 

[Olaf the Stout]

First, never make her feel out of the loop. Include her on all discussions, even if they don't interest or include her.

Second, always be unfailingly polite. Not in a sucking up fashion, but in a very respectful manner. She's southern aristocrat and you must approach her in the proper manner.

Third, If you disagree with her, always be sure to ask her opinion first. Then respectfully say, I disagree, and here's why. After you've stated your case, then focus on places where you agree and work from there.

Fourth, if you have an idea that you think she'll immediately be opposed to, start small. Insinutate the idea slowly into the conversation over the previous week. Make her believe that it's her idea and let her take credit for it.

Fifth and last, never, ever give her cause to believe that she's been left out of the loop or ignored. Her ideas are valid, even if ultimately we do not use them.

Those were the basic advice we gave. So far I've tried them out and they seem to be working well. She's basically a good person, just a little different managerial style than we're used to dealing with in our Board President.

Einan

That's good advice for dealing with difficult people.

Olaf the Stout

 

[rgard]

Kill her and take her stuff?

You win the thread!

 

[Nadaka]

That's... actually kinda creepy.

Plus, imagine what would happen if, somehow, someone found a file filled with papers listing a bunch of business people with all their personal details on it. Would be difficult to explain, I think.

IIRC they are called Foley Files. The staff associated with VIPs often record data and details about people the VIP meets. This way the VIP can remember people and encounters that might otherwise be lost in a sea of meetings.

For instance a senator that shakes the hand of a boyscout may find himself sitting next to him on the floor of the senate 20 years later. The boy may remember meeting the VIP, but the VIP would not normally. The Foley File is essentially artificial memory for those who deal with thousands of people or more.

 

[bento]

That's... actually kinda creepy.

Plus, imagine what would happen if, somehow, someone found a file filled with papers listing a bunch of business people with all their personal details on it. Would be difficult to explain, I think.

I sometimes do this - write down the names of spouse or kids of those I do business with, and sometimes friends. It makes a stronger connection when you ask about their family by name in conversation. People like it when you remember things like this - it shows that you listen and give them your attention.

 

[sckeener]

What was their CRs? Did you level?

If I had not had a Ms McDuff with me, I would have been toast. it was pre 3rd ed...but if converted, their CRs were way over my level...it was not a balanced encounter.

But the encounter with Ms McDuff definitely left me more experienced by the next morning.

they are called Foley Files.

I didn't know that. That was my first experience with people doing it to that detail. Michelle is 12 years older than me and at that time in my life, I was lucky if I took notes in my college classes let alone recorded people's life details.

About as detailed as I get is Name/birthday....sometimes spouse & kids.

Throw in that half of them had fangs and you've got Vampire: the Masquerade!

Kind of funny. I tried to talk her into starting a Vampire game up during that trip. I was young and an idiot (still the idiot) and talked about my current character a Vampire Toreador named Dmitri during that trip. As if anyone wants to hear about someone else's character.....still she was nice and listened....She just didn't feel like she had the time to devote to a new system. She was still running her 1st edition game out in CA.

Her AD&D games were always very deadly and very political. She didn't give any breaks. Deaths were common.