"Even executives from the listed companies can't feel that they can talk directly to him," he said.

The workers will be grateful, indeed, but your executives may feel otherwise.

"They are given to the white kids, the people that the executives feel comfortable with."

Some executives feel that they have gone too long without slowing down.

And that may make chief executives feel a bit more human.

When executives feel they are close enough to a title, every avenue is explored in getting there.

The other executive, whom he would not name, was feeling embarrassed and beaten down.

"When the firm's profits are down, people expect senior executives to feel the heat of it."

And these younger executives, he said, feel more at ease with their peers.

Many executives and board members felt strongly that the company ought to stay independent.