11 Jun The newly hired CEO of a small, nonprofit organization was appal

The newly hired CEO of a small, nonprofit organization was appalled by the behavior ofthe organization’s CFO toward the female staff. He believed the manner in which theCFO related to these women was disrespectful and bordered on abusive. Some of thesewomen were offended by the CFO’s attitude, while others chalked it up to his abrupt,abrasive personality and simply ignored it.The CEO met with the CFO and made it clear that his behavior was unacceptable andwould have to change. The two did not meet subsequently. The CEO was heard to say toothers in the organization that the CFO “had to go.”Three months later, at a monthly meeting of the board of directors, the CEO added anitem to the agenda that substantially modified and reduced the CFO’s job responsibilitiesand authority. The CFO usually attended the board meetings but had notified the CEOand the board two weeks earlier that he would not be able to attend this particularmeeting. The rationale that the CEO presented was framed as strengthening the integrityof financial reporting in the organization. This explanation appeared to be reasonable, andthe board approved the proposal.At 11:30 p.m. in the evening following the meeting, the CEO e-mailed the CFO,notifying him of the board’s action modifying his position.