From what I read in the news today, many top corporate executives should be losing sleep. The projected image of CEOs suggests they are overpaid and do little to help their companies get ahead.

The first thing I think a CEO loses sleep over is how their companies stock prices are holding up. Shareholders are many and can make their voices heard if they don't like the direction their investments are going. Finding ways to defend their decisions will get plenty of consideration on those restless nights.

CEOs are supposed to be innovators of business and marketing strategy. They are paid to come up with ways to move their corporation into the future. The bigger the company, the bigger the responsibility. A CEO might toss and turn while considering possible business mergers that likely require wining and dining other powerful people.

Failing companies are most likely to force those big wigs into losing some sleep. A CEO will likely have to address job cuts, dealing with union leaders and strikers, or look into downsizing their operations. And the result of this would be handling the media and becoming spin doctors. These corporate-types put in long hours to come up with terms like 'right-sizing' to diffuse some sticky situations.

Now I'm not a CEO and have never been in a board room, but I have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express. Maybe they should consider spending some time there, too, if they want to get their rest.

Learn more about this author, Brian Keith Compton.
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