That's how one analyst explained the recurring product delays at Microsoft, and the principle can describe similar problems at chip giant Intel. Instead of waking up sick and washed out, employees at these companies are seemingly dawdling a bit because of past successes and a hazy outlook. You can imagine the scene: You're a product manager for Windows. You wake up one day and hear analysts and competitors saying that Linux will begin to creep onto desktops. At the same time, the Linux desktop may not happen for several years. Your financial outlook is better than you ever expected back in college. At the same time, you also see few great opportunities for rapid internal advancement or lateral placement.
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