I published my third book, “The Meeting” last November. This is an excerpt from the book and one of my favorite chapters. The setting is a one-day peer group meeting. Bud is the group Chair and Tex is one of his group members. The group is in Executive Session when members bring strategic issues/decisions to the group for help.
I hope you enjoy the story.
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Chapter 13
He’s a Terrorist
“The best thing you can do for a good employee is to fire a bad one.”
- Bob Thomson, Vistage Speaker
“Tex, you’re batting lead-off today in the Executive Session. You made mention earlier in our check-in about having a terrorist on your management team. Tell us more about that,” said Bud.
Tex’s facial expression quickly changed from a broad smile on his face to a look of disgust. He had brought this same issue to the group once before several years ago and had hoped that he wouldn’t have to bring it back again. It was a sore subject for Tex and one that had gotten progressively worse over the past year.
“You all remember my CFO, David. He was originally hired by my dad many years ago before I graduated from Tech and joined the company. He didn’t have CFO credentials at the time and certainly is not showing them now. The faster we grow, the less engaged he is in the company. He seems to be taking time off at the least opportune times, like the end of the month closing. His financial reports are late and full of mistakes. And frankly, I just don’t think he gives a sh**!”
Bud interrupted Tex for a moment. “I think before we go any further, this is a good time to review the Welch Grid as Tex has referenced the ‘terrorist’ on his team.”
