No they aren't. Time to put that misconception to bed: http://www.washingtonpost...

sbierwagen · on Feb 3, 2015

http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2013/10/why-the-maximizing-sh...

http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2014/01/myth-maximizing-share...

ashwinaj · on Feb 3, 2015

True, they aren't obligated. Another thing to note is that most executives get paid with equity more than cash. So it is in their self interest to have the stock stay steady or go up and not take a nose dive.

gaius · on Feb 4, 2015

So it is in their self interest to have the stock stay steady or go up

Until they are ready to cash out, which might be as soon as a year away. It needs to be redesigned with long-term incentives in mind.