Page 133 - Executive Warfare

Rivals

flesh. It’s not surprising that almost nobody suggested that Spitzer
deserved any mercy, either, when he was caught patronizing expensive
prostitutes. Within days of this revelation, he was forced to resign.
And if you actually need the abilities
of a former rival and want to hang on to
the person, do not be stupid. Give him FEW
respect. ORGANIZATIONS
I always thought it was a good idea, CHOOSE A RANCH
for example, when I had to meet with a HOUSE FOR THEIR
rival who lost, to go to his office the first HEADQUARTERS.
few times. And then, if he was coming THE
to see me, I would come out of my office HEADQUARTERS
to greet him. ARE ALL IN TALL
Ameliorating the humiliation by any BUILDINGS SO
means you can is extraordinarily THAT FORMER
important. You have to be careful RIVALS CAN BE
socially. Don’t allow your spouse to lord THROWN OFF THE
it over the rival’s spouse. ROOF.
No matter how careful you are, you’ll
have mixed success because most of
your rivals really believe that they deserved the job and that you didn’t.
Some people will tell you straight out, “I don’t know how you beat me.”
Other people will say all the right things, but their behavior is undermin-
ing or difficult. Or they can’t get rid of their anger or disappointment.
There is no point in discussing it with them. It’s not your problem. They
just have to go.
On the other hand, one of the most disappointed people I’ve ever
beaten in a race turned out to be one of my best employees. Let’s call him
Clark. For the longest time, Clark was the golden boy at this company
where I worked.
Everyone expected him to get the brass ring and run a major division.
He was smart, articulate, knew the numbers. Some thought his people

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