Chapter 25 - The Romano reputation
My own companies changed too.
Not because Dominic transformed me.
Because the incident exposed something old.
Employees were still afraid of bringing me bad news.
The Sofia Foundation board had known about some contract tension.
Nobody told me.
Why?
One director admitted:
“We knew you would take it personally.”
He was right.
Another said:
“People do not know whether Rocco Romano is asking a question or giving a warning.”
That one hurt more.
I created formal escalation routes that did not end at me.
Independent audit committees.
Anonymous reporting.
No family member allowed to retaliate against a complainant without review.
My cousins mocked it.
“Corporate therapy.”
Fine.
The first year brought complaints.
A lot.
Some ridiculous.
One employee reported a manager for taking premium parking.
Another alleged a cousin used company staff to move furniture.
That one was true.
Good.
Bad news became boring enough to arrive.
May you like
That was the goal.
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