What are they discussing?

W: Mr. Brown, who do you feel is the most qualified person to head the new project?(68)
M: Well, both Rick and Joe are qualified, but if I have to make a decision between them, I would have to go with Rick. (69)He really knows his work well, and he’s been working here for a long time. Also, he should be a little more reliable because he is much older than Joe.(70)
W: True, but what do you think about Jan? She’s quite smart, and she knows the material quite well too.
M: Yes, but I don’t think she is aggressive enough. She might have a bit of a difficuIt time handling some of the male staff. Plus, Rick has let everyone know that he really wants to take on this new project.