I point out that the no good programmer was hired to write computer programs, in the current project environment. The current project environment involves contractual deadlines and the programming work has to often be done under pressure. If the no good programmer doesn't work well under pressure, then he's not suitable to work in my project. That's why I fired him, after several warnings.
The situation is clear, simple and my firing of the no good programmer was completely justified.
To my shock and surprise, several of the other mid-level managers are dead set against my firing of the no good programmer. They think that I didn't give him a real chance. (Later I find out that the no good programmer drinks at the same bar, where the other mid-level managers drink at night.)
I point out that I'm not trying to punish the no good programmer, I'm trying to avoid punishing the other workers on the project due to an increased work load on the other workers, caused by the failure of the no good programmer to do the work that I assign him.
To my surprise, I wind up in court over my firing of the no good programmer.
The no good programmer is represented by a shyster lawyer.
I, who am not a lawyer and know little of the law, have armed my Corporate Counsel with a winning edge.
Before the shyster lawyer can get started, my Corporate Counsel wins the lawsuit by having the Personnel Manager testify that the no good programmer lied on his employment application by stating that he had a degree in computer science, when his major was art history and he never really graduated, although he presented a fake diploma to Personnel.
(I had spotted several major lacks in the no good programmer's knowledge of programming. They don't have computer programmers interview computer programmer applicants. 'Remembah yo' place, boy!')
To my shock and surprise, several of the other mid-level managers are still dead set against my firing of the no good programmer. They think that I really didn't give him a chance, even if he was maybe a little unqualified. (Stand by your drinking buddy.)
In addition, Mona, a lady who I was dating, dumps me, because I'm a cruel insensitive man. Mona then begins to date no good programmer boy.
I'm a winner and a loser, but somewhat confused at my first real introduction to workplace politics.
I continue to run my project. My project team and I work on a new communications idea. The work is hard and demanding, but we keep at it, learn a lot and impress the customer. My project team and I finally deliver a good product, to the customer.
I then undergo my second major experience, with workplace politics. Instead of being rewarded and praised for my success, I find myself demoted from Project Manager to Programmer and assigned to work for a new Project Manager. The first that I know of my demotion from Project Manager to Programmer and assignment to work for the new Project Manager is when I'm called into the Department Manager's office and given the bad news. I then tell the Department Manager, "It's not much of a reward for a lot of my very hard work."