Elaine summons Eddie Sherman, a mailroom employee, to fire him for incompetence. When she meets him, she is intimidated by his gruff voice and military fatigues, so she promotes him instead just to have an excuse for the summons.
Elaine planned to dismiss Eddie Sherman, a mailroom worker, because of his poor performance. Upon meeting him, her fear of his gruff demeanor and military appearance caused her to promote him instead, providing a reason for the initial summons.