The team owner forced him to resign six months later. Gifts go by the wayside. A now-defunct New York clothing chain used to give every top executive a holiday fruit basket. One December, the CEO deliberately skipped his underperforming finance chief, recollects Ms. Imberman, then the chain's head of human resources. The next year, the man was dismissed.
Subordinates attend high-level meetings.
Shortly before Walker Digital handed out layoff notices to 100 of its 125 employees last November, lower-level officials joined sessions previously limited to vice presidents. In reality, he adds, those middle managers were being prepped to take over VP duties. The sweeping cuts eliminated several vice presidents. You're asked to run your employer's local charity drive. Beware of management's doublespeak.