| This is kind of a loaded question/ statement. > "Why do I feel like you need to be a sociopath to succeed?" ok, you hooked me... lets see what you're talking about > "to be a successful CEO" Oh, well thats really only one very niche version of success. I personally can only think of a handful of CEOs that I consider "successful." They're really just managers, and we happen to be at a point in American history where they are very well compensated... historically this has not really been the case. Conservative (small c) argument: Name 5 successful CEOs from the 1930s. Now name 5 Successful Authors, Actors, Politicians, etc. > "to be a successful CEO, you need to be a sociopath" I would probably rephrase this as to be a successful CEO you need to be an "opportunist". Sociopathy is a mental illness that seems related to what you seem to be implying, but "sociopathy" exclusively is a bit narrow of a definition. If we were to say "all corporate managers are sociopaths" that would be very very prevalent. > "Somehow it feels like decent people with decent products just don't make it." I feel like you need more evidence to support this claim, and a more specific thesis. As an example per "The millionaire Next Door" most high net-worth individuals are just hardworking business owners that invest in income producing assets, and don't spend a lot. CEOs rarely make products unless they are a founder that becomes the CEO. CEOs as a group are corporate managers, and they usually become corporate managers by being trained to be corporate managers. I personally don't agree with this take either. Too much anecdotal evidence on my side. CEOs, like the rest of the population have shortcomings, quirks, mental illnesses, etc. Thats just humanity. |