The Truth About Being A CEO
There is this idea that people who own their own companies have nothing to worry about and can go out and buy a second hand audi and just give it to a friend if they feel like it: that they are able to take a holiday any time they want and everything will carry on as per usual with no problems. Ok, that might be true for the mega companies – Virgin, Sony, Shell, etc – but for the most part, company owners walk a very tight rope: they rake in money in large amounts sometimes, and they employ people and pay them well, but when really look at what it’s like to be a CEO then somehow the picture isn’t always so rosy. Here is what you have to contend with, and this Is just off the top off my head:
1) Pressure: don’t feel like work? Hangover? Tired from flying and jet lag and too much money talk? Tough. If you don’t go in then how do you think that looks to others who might be interested in doing business. The horrible thing about being a CEO is that every second is a work second. Yes, there are rewards, but it can take years until these become very lucrative.
2) Holidays are not holidays: ok, they are, and chances are you can go somewhere nice, but chances are also that you’ll be on the email at some point. Or on the phone. Or both. Even in the bath. Even late at night when you should be out having fun…
3) Getting people you trust on board: CEOs are notorious for wanting a job done right, and the truth is that the only way to do that is to do it yourself. Unless you are lucky enough to find some people who are conscientious enough to be 100% trustworthy. Still interested in becoming a CEO? Go ahead. Just make sure you’re realistic, and that way you should eventually get what you put in.
