When Laura finished the meeting, she was angry. Her biggest customer just told her that she had placed a big order with a new supplier. “You know it’s not you. I like working with you Laura. How long are we working together? It’s been a long time,” said Joanne, the EVP Operations at DeepEarth Oil, “but…

I am a sales gal. You’re a boy working in marketing. I’m not sure I understand what that means—but I know that you get the glamor and I am measured every day by what I deliver. Mutual respect and understanding—with the customer at the center—is what we need. If you make promises, then you need…