John Stanton (HBS MBA '79), founder of Western Wireless (T-mobile), faces two management decisions: what to do about a good friend and senior executive whose role needs to be redefined, and how to respond to a departing board member who wants to email remaining board members detailing a proposal Stanton opposes. This case sets up a classroom discussion around these decisions by providing the historical context of the company, as well as outlining the circumstances of the decisions ahead. Also see E275, John Stanton: Managing Through Adversity