The CEO and a member of his board of directors were walking down the hall during a break.  The board member casually asked how things were going in Japan.  (They were going fine.)

The CEO mentioned to the company President that the board member had asked about Japan.

Then the President told the Asia Group President that the board was concerned about the company’s progress in Japan.

So the Group President asked the company’s Japan President for a full business review so he could allay the board’s fears.

The Japan President cancelled everyone in Japan’s vacation and travel plans for a one-week sprint to completely review and re-plan the business in Japan.

The board member had no idea what he was unintentionally triggering.

Make sure you do.

(This is an excerpt from The New Leader's 100-Day Action Plan, Bradt et al, Wiley, 2009)