Shareholders certainly can influence the direction of a company. But you have to either have garnered enough support from other shareholders, or control enough of the stock to get the Board and executives to listen to you. In the last ten years, many corporations have taken measures to reduce the call for change from activist shareholders who don’t control enough votes to change things. In many cases, it only takes ownership of one share to be invited to the Annual Meeting and ask questions of the Board. Recently, some corporations have restricted attendance to those with a minimum percentage holding to attend. Exxon Mobil seated an activist investor on their board because he gained support. There is contention over Exxon’s future in going “green” and getting out of fossil fuels.