At the presentation, Brad strutted before the client like a TED speaker in a fancy suit. Every phrase Ethan had written poured smoothly from Brad’s mouth, followed by fake humility: “Of course, it’s all about the vision I’ve been pushing.” The client applauded. Brad basked in it like a lizard under a heat lamp.
Two days later, the CEO sent a company-wide email congratulating Brad for “saving the Henderson partnership.” The subject line read: Leadership in Action. Brad printed it and pinned it on the office corkboard. Ethan stared at it for a long time, then went back to fixing Brad’s broken Excel sheet.