Welcome To The Straitjacket - Chapter One

Despite what many managers think and expect, you don't gain more freedom when you become an executive. Yes, you have more role power and more choices, but the choices feel small once you realize the enormity of your responsibilities. In fact, it's like putting on a straitjacket.

Being an executive is all about responsibility. And yet, far too many of us seek it for the power. The problem occurs when you try to exert your power, and discover yourself tangled up with other departments and divisions and their executives. Because, as we get closer to the top, collaboration becomes much more important. When you combine "The Hallmark of the Executive" - behavioral discipline - with your growing responsibilities, you realize how heavy the burden of leadership is. The Effective Executive embraces the limitations, even when it feels like a straitjacket.