legally – what’s next?, page-8

Jebac the reason options are offered to directors is as an incentive to increase the price for all shareholders. They are normally offered at a higher strike price than the sp at that time, so that directors are rewarded if they can increase the sp to the higher strike price within the set period.

If the sp doesn't increase above the strike they don't get rewarded. If they grow the value of the company they do. However they are options to buy not obligations to buy at a higher price than they are worth.