Three envelopes

(Heard this for the first time recently...)

A man is settling into his new management job. The person he is replacing gives him three envelopes. "When the going gets tough, open one... but you have to open them in order."

For the first few weeks everything goes well. Then it seems senior leadership is getting frustrated with him and his division. He opens the first envelope:

"Blame the lack of progress on your predecessor and assure them you just need some time," it reads.

He tries the advice, and it works -- the supervisors back off. For a while. Several months later, the sharks are circling again. The second envelope is opened:

"Announce a reorganization of your division... one you've been preparing for since arriving and assessing the situation."

Again, this brings relief. For a while. Then the higher ups really start to put the pressure on over the lack of progress. The third envelope comes out of the desk:

"Time to prepare your three envelopes," it reads.