
201LAW #5: REWARD THE MESSENGER
progress, let him know and explain why. If a decision is
made to not do what he suggests, tell him why. If there
will be a delay in solving the problem, let him know the
reason, and when he can reasonably expect an answer.
The bottom line here is to not let an information vacuum
develop in which the messenger feels like he’s been ig-
nored. Such vacuums are the breeding grounds of para-
noid speculation, hostile rumors, and a sense on his part
that he’s become a punished, if not murdered, messenger.
If the owner of the restaurant that served authentic Italian food
had applied the TARGET-K approach when Larry complained, ...