I agree that your interpretation has a lot of weight. However, you're forgetting a couple of things: -. could be a request from the VP's peer; i.e., another VP

I agree that your interpretation has a lot of weight. However, you're forgetting a couple of things: -. could be a request from the VP's peer; i.e., another VP. Or from someone in a lateral org (such as HR). -. the manager himself in your interpretation of events should have the power at least to fire (if not to promote). The fact is: it was a very confusingly worded post and we've probably wasted more time on it than it warrants. :)