Rlchard Pettlnger

60 STRESS MANAGEMENT
Nine of the ten exhibited all of the required traits, characteristics, attitudes, and behavior. Each was given a uniformly excellent report. The tenth, a man in his late thirties, complained loudly and long of discomfort, seasickness, the futility of the exercise, and the unpleasantness of the environment. He made no contribution. He was accordingly given an inadequate rating by both the instructors and also corporate management development staff who were present to observe the exercise.

Upon return to Germany, three of the ‘‘excellent’’ participants were given immediate postings, and the other six followed over the coming months. The most successful, however, was the complainer. He was given an immediate assistant directorship based at corporate headquarters.

At first the company refused to justify this to anyone. Under pressure from its works council, however, it admitted that the particular individual had already been promised the job. His atten- dance at the event was a pure formality so that the company could be seen to be fair to everyone.