Elaine and Maureen were walking in a park near Elaine’s office one sunny afternoon. Maureen was a mentor and coach to Elaine and asked, “What’s wrong? It’s an absolutely beautiful day out, and you’re dragging your feet like you just ran a 5K. What gives?”

Her friend smiled ruefully. “We had a staff meeting today. I feel like they suck all the energy out of me. I am not the only one. All of the department heads, including the boss, drag themselves back to their desks when we finish. We all look like people who want to be anywhere but work. It’s really strange. Outside of meetings, we all get along great. The company is chugging along well, but those meetings are going to cause all of us to be carted off to the ER one of these days. I can’t figure it out.”

Maureen asked, “What happens at the meetings that is different?”

“As I said, we get along fine outside of formal meetings. All of us have been out socially, and we have fun. However, in the meetings, it seems like everyone turns from a Dr. Jekyll into a Mr. or Ms. Hyde. Conversations become contentious. Sometimes, I don’t like some of my colleagues.”

“What is the executive team’s gender makeup?” asked Maureen.

“We are split down the middle,” said Elaine. “The department heads are six men and six women. Our CEO tips the balance as she is also a woman. However, I think I know where you are going with this. We all seem to be very fair in who we might battle on a given day. There are days I seem to be arguing with a man or men; other times it’s with women, and then on the fun days, it’s with everyone. Alliances and problems seem to change from week to week.”

Maureen said, “Since I don’t work with anyone else at your company, tell me what seems to set you off at these meetings.”