Jim,

I've seen jerks on the fast track (also happened to be first “local” boy to be mill manager, versus professionals from outside).

Worked at a pulp mill where new mill manager came in and cut spares inventory & cut maintenance.

Fantastic for 2 years – then he got promoted to paper mill manager (3 mills from pulp mill), where he was going to work the magic in the paper mill that he had done in the pulp mill. His buddy got promoted to pulp mill manager and was subsequently fired a while later as the place fell apart around him.

And the jerk on the fast track – ended up as the President of the Company.

The shame of it all to me is that – what does this say about how you get ahead? And believe me – this guy was an absolute jerk and routinely insulted employees, sometimes in front of their spouse.

****

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