If an employee pulls in one direction, and the CEO pulls in the other, the employee loses. Period.

(If the majority of employees pull in that direction, then the CEO needs to rethink. But we're talking about individuals).

"In short, a CEO is just an employee, often getting paid more than the average employee, and often having more influence than the average employee, but not always."

Yes always. Your supposed company where the average employee out-influences the CEO simply does not exist.