A division general manager was on his way out and met one last time with his successor. He handed over three envelopes and said, "My predecessor did this for me, and now I’m passing it on. When you hit your first big problem, open the first envelope. Second problem, open the second. Third, open the third. Good luck." The new guy nodded, tossed them in a drawer, and got to work.
Six months later, profits tanked and expenses exploded. Remembering the envelopes, he opened the first one. It said: "Blame everything on me." He did. Held a press conference, pointed fingers at the previous regime, and just like that, the pressure eased.
Another six months go by. Sales plummet. He opens envelope #2. It says: "Announce a reorganization." So he does. Big restructure. More press. Crisis handled.
A year later, things really fall apart. Nothing is working. Everyone’s looking at him. He quietly shuts his door, pulls out the last envelope, and opens it.
It said: "Prepare three envelopes."
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