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The first day after the merger, Brad got a call from a…

“The first day after the merger, Brad got a call from a worried female employee, who whispered, “There is a guy in here with suspenders walking around with a baseball bat in his hands, taking swings.” That turned out to be Carlin’s CEO, Jeremy Frommer, who, whatever else he was, was not RBC nice…” quote by Michael Lewis
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““The first day after the merger, Brad got a call from a worried female employee, who whispered, “There is a guy in here with suspenders walking around with a baseball bat in his hands, taking swings.” That turned out to be Carlin’s CEO, Jeremy Frommer, who, whatever else he was, was not RBC nice. One of Frommer’s signature poses was feet up on his desk, baseball bat swinging wildly over his head while some poor shoeshine guy tried to polish his shoes.””

Michael Lewis

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A vivid anecdote shows how a CEO’s reckless behavior can create fear and chaos in a workplace.

In simple terms: A boss acting wildly scares employees.

Key Takeaway

Watch for leadership behavior that harms morale.

Themes

leadership workplace culture authority behavior fear

Mood

anxious critical

Type

cautionary observational

When to use this quote

  • corporate mergers
  • employee onboarding
  • team meetings
  • crisis management

Key Concepts

power dynamics organizational psychology risk perception

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does leadership style affect employee confidence?
  • What safeguards can prevent abuse of authority?
A Different Perspective

Such antics may be tolerated if the leader is powerful, limiting accountability.

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