Finding the Buttons Part III

Frank rubbed his temples as he read the memo outlining the company’s new financial strategy. To say it was less than Frank had been hoping for was a serious understatement.

Frank had sent Harry Bly to introduce the new strategy to Mr. Banks, the company’s owner. Harry was a dimwit, but he had seniority over Frank, so for some reason, Mr. Banks tended to trust his judgment more than Frank’s. It was a fact that drove Frank crazy until he realized he could turn it to his advantage. Harry was such a doormat it was easy to get him to do whatever Frank wanted him to do.

Frank looked up when he heard a knock on his door and saw none other than Harry Bly himself.

“Did you see the memo?”

“I was just reading it,” said Frank.

“What do you think?”

“I think it’s another memo in a giant corporation that sends out and receives countless memos every day.”

“So you don’t like the new plan.”

“It’s not that. I just don’t think it’s enough. I thought you were going to talk to Mr. Banks personally.”

“I did. I am. I will. I just. I thought this would be a good first step. Sort of test the waters, you know? See how everyone reacts?”

“Harry, Harry, Harry, you’re going about this all wrong.” Frank stood and walked around his desk to place a hand on Harry’s shoulder. “To wait is to show weakness. By letting their reaction determine your next steps, you’re letting them set the agenda. Now, do you want to set the agenda, or do you want to let a bunch of mindless corporate slogs set it for you?”

Harry’s brow wrinkled. “Aren’t we the mindless corporate slogs?”

Frank hung his head for a moment before once again facing his witless opponent. “No, Harry. No. The mindless slogs are the ones on the bottom of the corporate ladder. We are at the top. We’re the ones telling them what to do and when. How high to jump. You see?”

Harry nodded.

“Now, go face Mr. Banks like a man!” Frank made one hand into a fist.

Harry was just about the weakest man (physically and morally) Frank had ever met, so of course the surest way to motivate him was to appeal to his lack of masculinity.

It worked like a charm.

Harry’s eyes lit up and he nodded once, firmly as he said. “I’ll do it.”

“Good for you! Go show him what you’re made of.” Frank cheered Harry all the way to his door, hoping it would be enough to sustain Harry to Mr. Banks’s office.

There was no way Frank would go in there with him. If Mr. Banks didn’t like the idea, Frank wouldn’t be implicated. If Banks liked it, Frank could always step in and take credit.

To be continued …