The author's acknowledgments.

Parting thoughts from the author.

Ten steps to continuing your development as a chief executive.

The fifth and final responsibility of the CEO is to deliver performance. This means ensuring that the organization executes its core objectives in a predictable, consistent manner.

The fourth responsibility of the CEO is to make decisions. Everyone else in the organization can pass the buck from time to time, but the CEO must make the final decision when no one else will or can.

The third responsibility of the CEO is to build the culture—the set of shared attitudes, goals, behaviors, and values that characterize your workforce.

The second responsibility of the CEO is to provide resources to the business. These resources come primarily in two forms: people and capital.

The first responsibility of the CEO is to own the vision. Until you know where you are going, it is hard to make decisions about anything else in the business.

Learn about the 6 hats CEOs must wear.

The CEO is fully responsible for the organization's outcomes—but also has less direct control than many people think. Let's look at strategies for mastering this odd dynamic.