THE SPOILERS You know the type. Every company has at least one. You can’t spot them by their looks. But they follow a common pattern. They are the spoilers. The second guessers. They stay in the background while the groundwork is being formed. While the decisions are being made. Then they swing into action. They demand minor changes. They find fault with small points. They rehash issues that have already been settled the hard way. They question conclusions. They challenge assumptions. They defend their stand in the name of constructive criticism and improvement. And it probably is. But too often the value of their contribution is outweighed by the destructive side effects produced. They inhibit creativity. They dampen enthusiasm. They demoralize personnel. They create uncertainty. You must know the type. Or does the shoe fit? If it does, be prepared for the question that is likely to follow an overdose of 20/20 hindsight: WHERE WERE YOU WHEN THE PAPER WAS BLANK?