Being a chief executive is like no other life experience; it's a thrill no drug or activity can replace and you either love it or don't want anything to do with it. According to Ed Jenks, CEOs are not mysterious creatures. Most have souls, and contrary to the general opinion of most people, the majority really do want the best for their organizations, the folks that work there, and the shareholders that believe in them.

This book is both case study and cautionary tale, written for a specific community: those who envision themselves sitting in the top organizational chair. If you are tentative and unsure if the top is the right place for you, please understand that it is not the intention of this book to scare you away, but rather to inform and advise you of some of the challenges you may encounter.