Riding for a Fall

Abstract

Antonio del Porte—“Tonio”—was a rising star in the organization. The first thing everyone commented on when they met him was his self-assertion. In any meeting, formal or informal, he spoke out with total confidence. His repeated claim that he knew how to get results, and would get them, was very convincing. He certainly attracted a lot of attention upwards in the organization. If one or two thought he “talked big” and found him smug and overbearing, for the others he could do no wrong. It was generally accepted that he was headed for a very senior position.