Some executives, of course, know how to be both team players and bosses.

"These executives know it when he walks in the door."

His supporters say no chief executive of a big company can know everything.

As he left the office, the Congressman asked the company's executives to let their employees know of his effort.

But these executives know a market when they see one.

And even if executives did not know, should they take responsibility because it happened on their watch?

As publishers, its executives knew you had to have people in stories.

The executives also know that the business has to change in some fundamental ways.

The chief executive may know what change is needed, but has to wait for the right time to introduce it.

Boeing has said its senior executives knew nothing of the two men's activities.