I worked directly with the last one on the list. I got his laptop approved to install Microsoft Access, by submitting a formal request to IT security.

I will share my first honest draft “justification” here:

“This man can achieve miracles with nothing more than Excel and VBA. His true skills unleashed are exactly what all of our draconian IT policies are afraid of. I don’t know what will happen, to any of us - after you approve this request. But i believe that standing in the way of his destiny is foolish futility, and I want him to remember me fondly when his full powers emerge.”

I replaced it with meaningless business speak bullshit, and cited a couple of uninterpretable but urgent business office priorities before I submitted the form.

There’s a such thing as too much honestly.