Encourage Employee

Letter #1: I know we have all experienced a very stressful year. Even after the downsizing six months ago that reduced our personnel twenty percent, we still have not achieved the winning quarter we were hoping for. Nevertheless, I want to assure you that we will not have further reductions in our work force. And there is another bright spot on the horizon. Although we did not turn a profit last...

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Decline To Give

Letter #1: I am flattered that you would ask me for advice on such a delicate matter. I regret that I cannot be much help to you. I have neither the wisdom nor the experience to guide you in your divorce. However, I have a friend in Melbourne, Mick Jagger, who practices family law. If you wish, I can refer you to him. Whatever you decide to do, you have my best wishes. Letter #2: Although I am...

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Asking

Letter #1: Mick Jagger, I know you hate giving advice, but I need your experience on my side. I have the opportunity to buy out another fisherman’s fleet at the end of the season. The trouble is this will put us in a real bind financially next season. I hope you will come on down. I will take you to lunch and we can look at the numbers together. I trust your judgment more than my own. I...

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