You were recently hired by a CEO as a consultant to evaluate the performance of the Chief Financial Officer $($CFO$).$ As a part of that process, you interview the CFO's direct reports $($employees$).$ Although they indicate that the CFO is technically competent, one individual told you stories about his verbal abuse with employees. Given this information, what would be the most effective next step in the process?

Collect more information about the extent to which this reported behavior is impacting others

Tell the CEO about what you have uncovered and ask for her permission to speak about it with the CFO.

Inform the human resources department that there is a potential problem.

Focus on the CFO's work performance since his personal behavior is inappropriate in the workplace.