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This is rubbish. At Intel we called it "badge on the table". It's a statement of complete commitment (and I've been the beneficiary of someone going 'badge on the table' at least once, under circumstances I can't disclose).

It doesn't imply that if a manager or VP or CEO concedes the point at issue once, then the person can now go around "putting their badge on the table" and getting their own way over and over again on other issues; probably making a habit of issuing ultimatums (ultimata?) will get you fired PDQ.



During my time at Intel I've only seen once the "badge on the table" and the manager took the badge without hesitation.

I guess it only works if you have a good enough reputation that people actually want to you to stick around.


Interesting, do people who put their 'badge on the table' actually quit when they lose, or is it just a saying that's used to show emphasis?


I only know of 2 cases where I know for sure that it happened, although I've heard rumors about more. It's not going to be one of those things where you run around yelling about it, especially if you succeeded (after all, flexing on your management that you did it is likely to make your management unhappy).

One case someone succeeded. The other case some other person resigned.


Sorry, that was clumsily put - what I meant was in one case person A got what they wanted, and in another case not involving anyone from the first case, person B didn't get what they wanted and resigned.


If they don’t quit, the next time they try it, it won't be believed.


I’m more interested in whether it’s interpreted as an actual ultimatum, or just an emphasis.




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