
THE MYTH OF THE MONOLITH 97
and thereby put in jeopardy potential future benefits. A refusal by
Brady to take Buffett’s call or to discuss the ban on Salomon
Brothers would certainly have had a negative impact on their rela-
tionship and that factor had to have contributed to Brady’s deci-
sion to give Buffett access.
Relationships with government officials can be built in a num-
ber of ways, such as through working together, social interaction,
favors done in the past, or mutual acquaintances. Relationships
can also be gained through money, which is one of the reasons that
corporate executives make financial contributions to politicians.
These contributions ...