Boardroom Warrior Gifts

'...any other business?'

'Almost finished.'

"I recommend that we seize this opportunity to redefine success."

'A touch less rigour on the feedback next time, Stephen.'

"I'm going to bombard you with graphs until you agree with me."

'This merger will cut jobs 40%, reduce salaries 30% and increase the work hours 25%. Your job is to make this look like the best thing that ever happened to our employees.'

'What's important is that we found some common ground. Let's try not to get bogged down over who found it first.'

"I'm razzled, but not dazzled."

'Granted, the Board of Directors didn't think much of your proposal, but I think they'll be impressed by your resilience!'

'That was some grueling meeting. The minutes were kept but the hours were lost.'

"Today's meeting will be endless, with a half-hour break for lunch."

'For a Dow-30 company, this isn't much of a succession plan.'

'Lots of give and take in that negotiation...they took and we gave.'

'This isn't third grade, Bob. You can speak.'

'We're going to be experiencing some pain today. We're removing the band-aid we put on the problem.'

"That's your best advice? Play nice!"

'Most people working here are motivated by either fear or greed. I've risen to the top by being motivated by both.'

'Is there any truth in the rumour that there's someone sitting around this table who hasn't got an ulcer?'

"Well, I was outvoted by the stockholders today by eight thousand six hundred and twenty-seven to one."

'Don't take this the wrong way but I'm thinking of calling someone in to manage our future corporate acquisitions.'

'What say we set aside all our petty grievances and just hate each other on general principles.'

'I think you should withdraw that.'

How decisions are really made.

'The first order of business is the problem of absenteeism.'

'You're closer to the Big Guy than anyone. Will you help us kill him?'

"Before I read the financial report I have to ask... do any of you have a weapon?"

'It was a power struggle but I won!'

Phil, I'm just too depleted to function. I need to take the afternoon off and recharge my batteries.

Fear of giving presentations can grow out of all proportion.

'He has the Big Cheese on his side - But the High Muckity-Mucks will be with us.'

'I'm always thinking of my fellow man - that's how I stay ahead of him.'

Female Boss 6

'Henderson, your plan is ruthless, unprincipled and predatory - but it has its downsides.'

May I Speak?

'I'll have to let you go, Bob - Ted, from accounting, is challenging my position as alpha male!'