Management Menus

The executive's statement that he'll support your proposal means:

1. He'll forward your paper along with a dispassionate statement of support to a minor decision maker, all the while knowing that will sink it.
2. He'll forward your letter with a strong statement of support to a key decision maker.
3. He'll do the second option plus make some phone calls to other key players and follow-up with calls to show this is a matter of importance.

The attorney's opinion that "We can't do that" means:

1. We can't do that under any circumstances and in any way, shape, or form.
2. We can't do that as it is currently worded.
3. We can't do that but there are legal ways to accomplish an equivalent result.

The union representative's assertion that "We view this as a serious matter" means:

1. I'm only saying that because the grievant is in the room.
2. This current case may be worthless but we are concerned about the policy precedent.
3. We think this case has merit and we are also concerned about the bigger picture.

The analyst's proposal of three possible courses of action means:

1. We didn't consider more than three.
2. We've sandwiched the option we prefer between two extremes.
3. We all know there is only one real course but we have to pretend there are others.