“You know he gets angry if someone else helps somebody he dismissed and they turn out to be a buyer.”
“You know new salespeople are scared to disagree because he gets first pick on high-value leads.”
The general manager’s voice hardened.
“Lead distribution is based on performance.”
“That’s what I mean.”
The regional director wrote again.
He looked toward the general manager.
“Do you give him first priority?”
“He earned it.”
“By selling.”
“Yes.”
“Does that priority increase his influence over coworkers?”
The manager hesitated.
“I suppose.”
“Does anyone here believe challenging him can hurt their schedule or lead quality?”
Five hands rose.
Slowly.
Not the top salesman.
He was not present.
Not the general manager.
Everyone else.
The regional director closed his notebook.
The general manager looked stunned.
“I have never intentionally retaliated against anyone.”
The receptionist answered softly:
“Intent isn't the only thing people notice.”
The manager turned toward her.
She looked frightened after saying it.
The regional director said:
“She’s right.”
The general manager looked toward him.
“You're already deciding I'm responsible.”
“No.”
“I’m deciding we need more information.”
The manager crossed his arms.
“What happens to him?”
“Paid leave while we review.”
“You can't suspend our highest producer during quarter close.”
The regional director stared.
There it was.
So clean.
So immediate.
He asked:
“Why not?”
The manager looked incredulous.
“Because he produces.”
The regional director leaned back.
“And if production is the reason everyone tolerates behavior they would stop from somebody else?”
The manager did not answer.
The regional director continued.
“Then production isn't separate from the problem.”
He stood.
“I want the last eighteen months of customer complaints.”
“All lost walk-ins we can identify.”
“Abandoned appointments.”
“Security video for today's interaction.”
“Lead distribution.”
“Scheduling changes.”
“And every employee exit interview mentioning floor culture.”
The general manager sighed.
“This is going to become enormous.”
The regional director looked toward the glass wall.
Outside sat the pearl-pink luxury SUV.
Untouched.
“I think it already was.”
The top salesman waited nearly forty minutes before anyone entered the office.
When the regional director finally arrived, the salesman stood.
“This is insane.”
“Sit.”
“I’m not sitting.”
“Then stand.”
The salesman glared.
“You're letting one woman blow up the whole store because she got offended.”
The regional director closed the door.
“She did not request your suspension.”
The salesman paused.
“What?”
“She didn't request anything.”
“Then why am I here?”
“Because your coworkers just described a pattern.”
The salesman laughed.
“Coworkers who want my leads.”
“Maybe.”
“Exactly.”
“Maybe they're jealous.”
“Maybe.”
The regional director remained calm.
“That is why we're investigating.”
The salesman paced.
“I’ve been number one four years.”
“I know.”
“I've brought millions into this place.”
“I know.”
“I have customers who won't buy from anyone else.”
“I know.”
“So you're going to destroy my career because some CEO wanted a revenge moment?”
The regional director looked toward him.