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\\u201cWithin the first 90 seconds, he says: \\u2018Hey, you know what? I don\\u2019t think we need you out here,\\u2019\\u201d Wolk remembers, citing those words as the plant manager\\u2019s first remarks.

Thus began one of Wolk\\u2019s least favorite but\\u2014as he explains\\u2014most rewarding career experiences.

\\u201cThe first 4 months in that job were like going to the dentist every day,\\u201d says Wolk, who tells us that ultimately the reward from the experience was a lesson in when and how to stand your ground.

The lesson began at a team meeting where Wolk tried to offer the plant\\u2019s management some practical advice with regard to how to prepare for an upcoming visit from senior J&J executives.

At the time, Wolk says, the plant was working to address a number manufacturing issues as it tried to determine how best to meet customer demand.

Wolk recalls the plant manager\\u2019s response to his advice: \\u201cWe\\u2019d like to meet your wish list, but we don\\u2019t have time for this right now.\\u201d

Instead of just accepting the manager\\u2019s feedback, Wolk reports, he arranged a private meeting with the manager, where he boldly elucidated the items occupying his \\u201cwish list.\\u201d

\\u201cIf they come out here next week and we can\\u2019t provide certain answers, we\\u2019re going to have a mess on our hands,\\u201d were among the words that Wolk says that he used to prod the plant manager\\u2019s thinking.

In the end, the visiting J&J executives were satisfied with the plant team\\u2019s answers, and Wolk\\u2019s reputation grew in the plant manager\\u2019s eye.

\\u201cFrom this point on, he didn\\u2019t take a meeting without including me,\\u201d concludes Wolk, who uses the story to underscore how finance executives must be ready to summon the courage of their convictions.\\xa0\\u2013Jack Sweeney