JUNE 30

“You have a problem and you will fix it, or I will replace you. Hell will freeze over before this CEO implements another employee benefit in this culture… You have two weeks. Tick, tock.”

—Neal Patterson, CEO, Cerner

DON’T EVER TRY THIS AT THE OFFICE

We couldn’t resist including this real-life quote, which illustrates how many executives really feel about recognition and awards.

The rest of the story demonstrates why it’s killing them: Offended Cerner employees posted Patterson’s message on the Web, triggering a 20 percent drop in company stock prices.

(In Patterson’s defense, he later apologized to his entire staff.)