23. “You Don’t Know Who I Am, Do You?”
“Wasn’t me, but there’s a story about an old geotechnical engineer who used to work for the company I work for.
Several senior staff had to attend a meeting with the client, and some government regulatory staff were being awkward and not approving the design.
This geotech guy is pretty much quiet the whole meeting. Throughout the discussion, the government guy keeps referencing this research document and shooting down anything anybody suggests.
Near the end of the meeting, geotech guy asks government guy if he has the research paper with him. He responds yes and places it on the table.
Geotech guy asks government guy, ‘Who is the author of the paper?’ Then slides over a business card. Turns out it’s geotech’s own paper that government guy has been referencing to defend his argument.
Government guy went bright red and apparently approved the design the same day.”
