The CEO of Pioneer, Tom Urban, made annual formal visits to each of the Pioneer divisions to talk about the state of the business and to listen to employees’ concerns. When he walked into the meeting room for his first visit after the sale of Norand, he acknowledged the group,removed his jacket and neatly folded it across the back of the chair. He loosened his tie,undid his collar and rolled up his sleeves. The next thing he said was the last thing I ever expected to hear a CEO say. 先锋公司总经理汤姆 · 乌尔班每年都会到下面各个分公司正式视察一次，他不但要和员工讨论经营状况，而且还要倾听员工的心声。那是买了诺兰德之后次下去视察，一进会议室他就跟大伙儿打招呼，脱下外套，把它整齐地叠放在椅背上，然后松松领带，解开衣领，卷起袖子。接下来他说的话让我怎么也不会想到会出自一位总经理之口。

　　He said, “I made a mistake buying Norand and I am sorry. I am sorry your profit-sharing was lower because of the purchase, and I am sorry your stock was hurt by the purchase. I will continue to take risks, but I am bit smarter now, and I will work harder for you.” The room was quiet for a moment before he asked for questions. 他说：“我购买诺兰德是个错误，我对此深表歉意。很抱歉因为这次购买，你们的利润分成减少了，很抱歉这次购买影响了你们的股份。我会继续冒险，但我现在比原来聪明了一点，我会更加努力地为你们工作。”在他让大家提问之前，会议室一时鸦雀无声。

　　A great man and leader stood before us that day. As I sat listening to him, I knew I could trust him, and that he deserved every bit of loyalty I could give to him and to Pioneer. I also knew I couldtake risks in my own job. 那天，站在我们面前的既是一位了不起的人，也是一位英明的领导。坐在那儿听着他说话，我知道他是可以信赖的，他值得我为他和先锋公司付出一片忠心，我还知道我在自己的工作中也可以冒险。

　　In the brief moment of silence before the questions started, I recall thinking that I would follow him into any battle. 在提问开始之前那短暂的沉默中，我记得当时在想，我会跟着他一起冲锋陷阵。

　　Vocabulary

　　CEO 总经理

　　Pioneer 先锋(公司名)

　　division n. 部门

　　state n. 状况

　　Norand 诺兰德(公司名)

　　acknowledge v. 对…打招呼

　　remove v. 脱下

　　neatly ad. 整洁地

　　fold v. 折叠

　　loosen v. 松开

　　undo v. 解开

　　collar n. 衣领

　　roll v. 卷

　　sleeve n. 袖子

　　profit-sharing n. 利润分成

　　purchase v. 购买

　　stock n. 股份

　　deserve v. 值得

　　loyalty n. 忠诚

　　take risks 冒风险

　　recall v. 记得