Chapter 36 - the decision they made without me
Six months later, I returned to headquarters.
The board had a proposal waiting.
They wanted Elena to become Chief Operating Officer.
I looked at Julian.
"You knew?"
"Yes."
"You didn't tell me."
"You weren't supposed to influence the process."
I looked at Arthur.
He smiled.
"Your own rules."
I laughed.
The vote was unanimous.
Elena accepted.
After the meeting, she came into my office.
"I want to thank you."
"You don't owe me anything."
"I know."
She smiled.
"That's why I wanted to thank you."
I looked at her carefully.
"Do you know why I noticed you?"
"No."
"Because you once told the board that principles matter more than culture."
She nodded.
"I remember."
"What did you mean?"
She thought for a moment.
"Culture tells people how things have always been done."
"And principles?"
"Principles tell them what must never be lost."
I smiled.
"Good."
Then I handed her the old governance transcript.
She looked confused.
"What's this?"
"Something you should read before you make your first mistake."
She laughed.
"I'm going to make mistakes?"
"Absolutely."
"Then why give me the transcript?"
"Because the people who think they're incapable of mistakes are the ones who become dangerous."
She looked down at the document.
And I realized I was no longer preparing someone to replace me.
I was preparing someone to disagree with me.
May you like
That was much more important.
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