And I decided that if I called you, I would get the version of you that talks to shareholders. He said, "I needed to see the version of you that runs the company." Are they different? Every person has a version of themselves that appears when they think someone important is watching, Caleb said. And a different version that appears when they think no one important is watching.
The second version is always more accurate. Victoria absorbed this. "And what version did you see?" She asked. He considered his answer carefully.
"I saw a version of you that is genuinely committed to this company's success," he said. "I saw someone who works with an intensity that most people in this building can't match. I saw someone who cares about outcomes, real outcomes, not just optics." He paused. I also saw someone who has been so focused on winning that she stopped asking what winning costs.
Victoria looked at him. "That's a kind way of saying something unkind," she said. "It's an accurate way of saying something true," Caleb replied. Richard Coleman made a small sound, not quite a laugh, but something in that direction. He had known both of these people for a long time and he was watching them talk to each other with the focused attention of a man who understood that what was happening in this room was more significant than it appeared.
Richard, Victoria said without taking her eyes off Caleb. What does the board want from this? The board Richard said carefully has not yet met formally. What I can tell you is that I have spoken with three members individually and the consensus is that they want to understand what happened before they decide what comes next. That's diplomatic.
Victoria said it's accurate. Richard said nobody on the board is celebrating this situation, including Caleb. Victoria finally looked at Richard. They want a review. She said it was not a question.
They want an independent investigation of hiring and promotion practices over the past three years, Richard said. Third-party firm, full access, complete report submitted to the full board. Victoria didn't blink. And while the investigation is ongoing, operations continue as normal. Richard said, "You continue as CEO.
You have not been removed. You have not been suspended. Nothing public has been said and nothing public will be said while the process is underway. He paused. That was Caleb's condition.