Job Progress Pillows

"There is excellent opportunity for advancement in this company. I didn't start out as an executive, you know."

I've always wanted to quit while I was ahead but the opportunity never presented itself.

"You've got your corner office, so what more do you want?"

'I hope you're not threatened by powerful women, because you're fired.'

"The good news is you’re the only one we’re not firing ... the bad news is you’re the only one to run the department."

Businesswoman Empowerment

"Well, ordinary men have colleagues. Successful men have victims."

'Let's not go by the book.'

"Give a sh*t" "Don't give a sh*t"

'You could be a constant inspiration for us to come up with a plan to get a leg up on our competition...you're hired!'

'Finally! A meeting with one of the bigwigs.'

I hope a starting salary of 80 and a severance of 12 is acceptable....

In basket-case.

Others will fight for you

"It's clear to me that you want to go far with this company."

So which rung are you on my corporate ladder?

'Manager. . . Commander. . . Chieftain. . . King!'

'I'll make my final decision on that promotion of yours, after this game.'

Businessman on stilts: 'I had to step over a lot of people to get where I am today.'

"Why can't the rest of you be more like Rollins, here? He does his homework!"

"You've proven your worth a hundred times over. Let's try for a thousand."

Things-to-do-today: Daily workboxes piled up on desk.

"So, tell me a little bit more about this house training you mention on your CV."

Business books - Who's Who & Who's Downsized sections.

"Helen brings home our second, third and fourth incomes."

"I've never said this to a woman before, but here goes: We're not paying you enough."

'Take two tablets the moment you begin to feel indispensable.'

'He got a raise but not enough to help him clear the fence.'

The MBA Draft

'AT&T? I'm letting you go. I'm down-sizing too!'

"I don't care if you are the Immediate Gratification Generation. Get out of my chair and back to the mailroom."

I'm going to practice on you before I start managing other people.

'I like the way you handle responsibility, McWit, so I'm going to blame some stuff on you.'

"Hey, you stick your neck out on a regular basis, it's gonna happen. The important thing is to just get up and keep moving forward."

'Take a few days off. Suck some necks ...'