John R. O'Neil, in his book The Paradox of Success, tells about a psychologist who was once summoned for a delicate interview with a top executive who had been acting oddly. Every Wednesday afternoon, this hard-charging company man would leave his office for a 3:00 P.M. appointment and did not return. He never told anyone where he went, but because he was observed entering a nearby apartment building, it was assumed he must be visiting a mistress.

Not so. The executive exp…