Emily just joined in on an online meeting that had been going on for a while that felt like an eternity to those who were there from the start of the meeting. Emily's team made having virtual meetings on weekends a habit, and Emily particularly did not like it because she claimed it disrupted her plans for the weekend and how work interrupted the weekend she was supposed to enjoy, but she could not keep complaining and accepted her fate but hardly say anything during the meeting unless called upon. She had made keeping her microphone on mute a habit until she had a contribution or was asked a question.
Keeping her microphone on mute was a habit for her, and since her microphone was always on mute, she could say anything without the fear of being heard. After joining the meeting late, she was asked why she joined in late, and she responded, but this time around, she forgot to turn off her microphone, and immediately after her, David, the team leader, started to speak. He talked about the latest project and the importance of every member meeting up with their own quota on or before the deadline. He was so authoritative as he spoke, and Emily muttered under her breath, "What a control freak, so full of himself."
She said this without knowing she had not muted her microphone after responding to the query as to why she joined in late. All the team members, including the team leader she talked about, heard her loud and clear, and David, who was speaking before that, went silent, and the whole meeting went awkwardly silent until David continued with a question: "Hey Emily, do you have any contribution to add to what I have said so far?" David asked
Realizing what had happened, Emily's facial expressions changed. "Ahhhmm, no, I don't have any contribution at all. Uhh, I was just agreeing to all you were saying." Emily stammered.
David's tone changed: "In the absence of any contribution from Emily, let's move on to the next agenda for this meeting." David said.
As the meeting continued, Emily's mind wandered off; she kept beating herself up as to why she would make such a mistake despite being an expert at muting her microphone. She kept wondering how she would be treated and looked at when she resumed work the following week.
Immediately after the meeting, her best friend, who works at the same firm with her, called her on the phone.
"Girl, I thought you were a professional when it comes to things like this, but I am starting to have my doubts now." Samantha, Emily's best friend, said over the phone.
"I swear, I thought my microphone was on mute. I feel embarrassed in a way, and it does not end there. What if I am kicked out of the team?" Emily asked
"We have all been there. I doubt he will kick you out of the team for saying just that, but from now on, try to keep the 'country freak' comment to yourself and save yourself the stress." Samantha advised as they both burst into laughter, helping Emily to feel better and get her mind off the issue at hand.
Samantha's call helped Emily feel better and made her realize that she was not alone. The weekend was over, and she had to report to the office. While she was trying to sneak into the office without getting noticed, she bumped into Sam.
"Hey Emily, I know what happened over the weekend is bothersome, but don't worry about it; feel free because, trust me, we have all had our fair share of such mistakes, and we had to live with it." Sam said with a chuckle. "I shared my screen by accident during a meeting, and everyone saw my account balance, and then I was so broke, so you can imagine that." Sam added as they both burst into laughter.
"Indeed, nobody is above making mistakes; I thought I was an expert until this happened." Emily said
"Exactly, at least now you will be remembered as the only person in the team who told the boss what he is like." Sam teased as he walked away.
"I don't even know how I feel right now. Thank you for helping me feel better." Emily said while watching him walk away and thinking about who she'd encounter next.
As the day went on, Emily noticed something entirely different from what she had expected. She was expecting probably hostile treatment, especially from the boss, but instead everyone in the office was treating her nicely, and from time to time they joked about her comment during the virtual meeting, and everyone, including the boss, laughed.