[maaku]

I don't buy this. As CEO you have the right to say "You know what Big Important Customer? You're a dick and I don't want to do business with you."

That is a strategically stupid thing to do. You may not ever actually do it. But being able to do that without having to answer to anyone but yourself is enough. There's a very real psychological difference.

[kika]

You have the right to say this while being the lowest ranking employee in the company, not CEO. But when you're CEO, you have other people you're responsible for, you hired them and they depend on you being able to run the business so they can feed their families. Saying "fuck you" to the customer who is bringing you 10% of revenue is not what CEO can really do.

[maaku]

The CEO is the only person who can do that. Also, DoD you read me 2nd paragraph?

[cageface]

How is this any different from telling your boss to go fuck him/herself? Many small businesses depend on one or two big clients for their livelihood.