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CEO: “Asking for Help and Offering Help Are Two of the Best Ways to Do Business”

"May I ask you a favor?” said the waitress. The three CEOs glanced at the clocks on their smartphones, then at the tiny café, which was deserted at 6 a.m.

“I just got a call from the day-care center and my 2-year-old is sick. I have to go. Would … ?”

The raised eyebrow of one CEO said it all. They had worked hard to carve 60 minutes out of their schedules to begin discussions on a merger. Now this.

“I know it sounds weird, but if one of you would stay and cover for me, I’d really appreciate it. I’ll lose my job otherwise.” She sounded desperate. “The manager’s on vacation, the morning rush starts in about 10 minutes and there’s just me and the cook till lunch. If I leave now, we’d have to close.”

Two of the CEOs stood immediately. They both said they had meetings back to back that morning. The third looked at them but stayed seated. “Let’s reschedule,” he said to the other CEOs. Then he looked at the waitress and started rolling up his sleeves.

“Do you have a clean apron?”

Read more: Noozhawk


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