A Brilliant Idea, Mr. Bellwether

It was the showdown at the plant.  

Gilbert Vanderslack had it. His brilliant production manager, Harvey Bellwether, had stepped over the line. He sent suggestions to corporate without first running them by him. And now corporate wants to know why those suggestions haven’t been implemented, or at least passed on through the normal channels. 

Bellwether entered Vanderslack’s office. 

“No need to sit, Mr. Bellwether,” Vanderslack said. “This will be as brief as a puff of air.”

“Very well, sir,” Bellwether said. “I am a bit swamped, and I’d like to get back to work. We are really running behind on domestic orders.”

“You sent a half dozen suggestions into corporate behind my back,” Vanderslack said. “In clear violation of protocol. You should be demoted under most circumstances, but corporate said to allow you to implement any one of the six you think would be best received, most cost-effective, and easiest to implement.” 

“You meant it’s my choice?” Bellwether said.

“Yes,” Vanderslack said. “So tell me which one and we will implement it immediately.”

“Have you looked at them yourself?” Mr. Vanderslack. 

“Don’t need to,” Vanderslack said. “Corporate says they’re all brilliant and needed.”

“Are you sure?” Bellwether said. “Any one of the six.”

“Yes,” Vanderslack said. “What is it?”

“You’re fired,” Bellwether said.