Simplistically, there are two types of top execs.
1 - The Optimist. Creative. Sees the revenue potential in things and people. Expansion minded. Has too many good ideas, just hopes they will work out somehow. Thinks profit is increased by expanding revenue more than costs. Probably from a commercial background. Needs to be controlled otherwise they spend all the money on increasingly mad ideas and you're broke through too high costs.
2 - The Pragmatist. Sees management in terms of cost-cutting, often without thinking what those who are cut actually contribute, just hopes it will work out somehow. Has not enough good ideas. Thinks profit is increased by reducing costs while maintaining revenue. Probably from an accounting background. Needs to be controlled otherwise they cut off the good parts of the business along with the bad, and p--- off the best talent who leave to develop things elsewhere, and you're broke for lack of revenue.
Willie firmly belongs in Group 2. Who will be his control from Group 1 ?