“So, how did it go?” I asked. Phyllis had her conversation with Ben late yesterday about the cycle count mess.

“It was a little strange,” Phyllis started. “At first he was headed toward being defensive, but my question was not what he expected. He thought I was going to ask him how it happened, but I didn’t. Instead, I asked him how he was going to fix it.”

“And?” My brow furrowed in anticipation.

“And he just sat there. So, I waited. You said I would have to outlast the silence, and I did,” smiled Phyllis.

“And?”

“And, then, it all came gushing out, all the problems, difficulties and excuses,” Phyllis was still smiling. “So, I just asked him again, how was he going to fix the problem?

“It was great,” she continued. “This afternoon, he is supposed to have a one page written timeline to get inventory back under control. Now, I know it will be an awful plan, and that I will have to work with him, but the accountability will still be in his court.”

Phyllis continued to beam as she made her way down the hall, waving a quick salute. -TF