Two years ago, I put my name in the hat for a position at large on the medical executive committee at work, just so I could learn the ropes and meet the people. The voting ended up taking forever, and I mean forever. Where it was supposed to take ten minutes as part of the regular meeting, the vote went for two hours or so. Everyone sat there fumbling through recounts because things were split over a few names, one of which was mine. I didn’t win, but I was more embarrassed about sitting there during the delayed debacle then I was about not having a seat at a table I didn’t even know existed yet. A bunch of docs suggested rank choice voting for the next election, and it’s been groaned and laughed about at most meetings since.
Tonight was the annual medical staff meeting, with a nice dinner and also another experience with electing medical officers. This time, however, I didn’t run for anything. In my current role, I’m at a few tables already. I get the exposure and experience and influence I hoped for from the beginning. I know the doctors and have the community I longed for.
Instead, I voted along with the rest of them, with anticipation and confidence. And this time, we were truly done in ten minutes. I doubt anyone even remembered that I was the reason for their election-that-would-not-end two years ago.