Today our show is about control : Not self-control , but instead controlling others . We begin with a short story set in a candy factory in the city of Chicago , Illinois . The president of the candy company was Susan Cleveland . Her grandfather started Cleveland Candies as a small business in the downtown part of the city . Over the years , it became a favorite stop for candy-lovers of all ages . Susan's father began working in the factory at age nineteen . He began at the bottom , cleaning floors and counting inventory , and worked his way all the way to the top . By age thirty , he was president of the company . Because he started at the ground floor , he knew everything about the candy industry . His employees knew this and respected him for it . As a leader , he was fair but firm . He paid employees well and treated them well , too . But he kept them all on a very “short leash .” He made all the decisions involving the company . He also kept his daughter Susan on a very short leash . When she began working at the company , he refused to let her make any decisions or take on any responsibilities . But no one criticized the president . He knew exactly how to make the business a success . And it worked ! The company expanded under his leadership . Soon Cleveland Candies had stores across the country and even shipped candy all over the world . Then he died suddenly . Control of the company went to Susan . Because her father had kept her on such a short leash , she had no idea how to run the company . It soon stopped earning a profit . One by one , Cleveland Candies stores began closing . After five years , the company was no more . If Susan's father had passed the torch to her -- mentored her and taught her how to run the company -- things might have ended very differently . Now , what do you think to keep someone on a short leash means ? A leash is like a rope . People use a leash to walk a dog . The leash keeps the dog from running away or getting into trouble . Keeping a dog on a short leash makes it easier for the dog walker to stay in control of the pet . So , keeping someone on a short leash means to control them . Now , in the candy store story , you also heard the expression “pass the torch .” If someone is willing to pass the torch , they are willing to give control -- give responsibility -- to someone else . And they usually will not keep people on a short leash . If you enjoyed the program , remember to join us again next week !