Born Too Late to Lead?

“I HAVE BEEN WITH THIS COMPANY for 16 years, and I think I know something about the business,” Robert McGarry says, his voice shaking with anger. “In fact, Frank and I have been thinking a lot about it lately. We feel that you've been siding with Peter. To be blunt, we think you see a lot of yourself in Peter and are pushing him ahead before he's ready.”

Robert, the president of Gideon Steel Corp. in Santa Ana, California, is talking to his father, Charles McGarry, the chairman of the company. Charlie has just announced to his two oldest sons, Robert, 39, and Frank, 37, that he wants his youngest son, Peter, 27, promoted to vice-president and put in charge of new product research, marketing, and distribution for the steel services firm.

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