This is a good one that’s been floating around for a number of years. We couldn’t determine the original source, but hopefully you’ll find it entertaining all the same:
A new managing broker spends a week at his office with the broker he is replacing. On the last day the departing broker tells him, “I have left three numbered envelopes in the desk drawer. Open an envelope if you encounter a crisis you can’t solve.”
Three months later there is a major snafu, everything goes wrong and the new broker feels very threatened by it all. He remembers the parting words of his predecessor and opens the first envelope.
The message inside says: “Blame your predecessor!” He does this and gets off the hook.
About six months later the broker experiences another huge, seemingly insurmountable problem with his top-selling agents. The manager quickly opens the second envelope.
The message reads: “Reorganize!”
This he does, and the situation quickly changes for the better.
Three months later, at his next intractable crisis, he opens the third envelope, hoping to find more of his predecessor’s sage advice.
The message inside: “Prepare three envelopes.”
