[WkndTriathlete]

I'm married to an exec and I can tell you both that

(a) The stress is very real, and (b) It's not self-created, it arises due to the responsibility and magnitude of decision-making coupled with having to deal with other execs that are promoted beyond their ability yet somehow still have absolute faith in their ability to lead and execute despite their limited experience, worldview, or both, and (c) It seems to be about the same amount of stress as those worrying about tight finances, but less than those worrying about where the next meal is coming from.

Having said that the majority of CEOs that my spouse and I have worked for cannot find their asses with both hands but a minority of them have been incredibly good and well worth the compensation they were paid.

[amrocha]

"About the same" is not the same. I'm sure it's a stressful job, but it's also self imposed. If you're getting paid a CEO salary, you can quit and live off investments after a single year of doing it.

It is in no way comparable to people that need to work to live.