Ask a lot of questions. Things can change dramatically in no time, and you don't want to be labeled as a presumptuous blowhard who has no finger on the actual pulse of the company.

There will come a point in time when you've so thoroughly communicated your vacation plans that your boss can't really interfere without feeling terrible (or at least refunding those nonrefundable fares).

If she's stressed out or tired, I can see the change in her and I'd take her off the ice, and we'd stay off the ice until the next day.

You can see a change almost immediately.

Asking for opinions doesn't mean that you're giving up the right to make the final call; it just helps you make a better decision.

Are they all 50-year-old white men? Did they all come from the same set of companies?