The Program Manager and the Analyst

The division analyst finished his presentation and returned to his seat. The Chief Executive looked around the room and said, “Gentleman, where was this dissention last year when we decided to fund this program?” He looked at the presenter, who was keeping his eyes glued straight ahead, trying not to lock eyes with the others seated a the table, the ones in the room to whom the executive was addressing. “I say again, where was this dissention when we invested a large percentage of our annual revenue in this program?” The table was dead quiet except for the imperceptible sound of building blood pressure in the Program Manager’s head. “Gentleman”, the executive began again, “It’s very rarely that we see the truth in this company. Sometimes we glimpse the truth, but most of the time we are chasing a target that will not sit still. Today that has all changed with the presentation of this analysis. For your sake, for the sake of this company and our stockholders, I hope it is not to late to turn this ship around.” He thanked the division analyst for his candor and swiftly left through the door in the back of the room. No sooner had the door swung shut than the PM stood and raced around the table to confront the analyst. The analyst only had time to spin his chair toward the approaching manager. Producing a pudgy index finger the now fuming man poked the analyst in the chest and spoke rigidly, “What gives you the right to brief the CEO without my permission? I did not give you my permission.” The analyst looked straight into the PM’s eyes and said, “Sir, I work for this company and the stockholders of this company. Whom do you work for?”