The Heavy Crown A CEO’s job description sounds clear on paper, but here’s the odd part: in a company with an org chart, defined roles, and shared leadership, somehow all eyes still turn to the CEO. Why must they not only manage, but also explain, defend, inspire, represent, and fix? Once, CEOs were invisible, and so the weight of every role wasn’t dumped on them. Today, the more visible they are, the more people expect. Step onto the stage, and you’re not just speaking; you’re managing everyone’s perception. Maybe that’s why, in the end, being a CEO isn’t just a job. It’s a performance, a symbol, a constant test. And even though the role has become a kind of object of desire, for some, it’s one crown they’d happily refuse, magic lamp or not.
Today, it’s not just a CEO’s decisions that send a message; even their breakfast does. The CEO is no longer just the head of a company; they’re the face of a brand. And sometimes, they’re also the target in a crisis. Performance or Authenticity? Leadership alone isn’t enough anymore. A CEO is expected to have emotional intelligence, media polish, cultural sensitivity, and social awareness. But wearing so many hats can blur your identity. When you’re constantly performing, it’s easy to lose your own voice, and in the palace, even the prince can feel lonely. Why These Stories Still Sell The romanticised CEO is just a mirror for our collective fantasies: power, wealth, emotional transformation. In real life, though, it’s
nothing like a magic carpet ride. CEOs are often the first to arrive and the last to leave. At home, they’re no longer the CEO, just another member of the family. They still have to juggle work and life, and that means answering to a whole other set of demands. If There’s a Throne, Where’s the Heir? Once, the CEO job was portable: a star executive could move from one company to another and repeat their success. That model is fading. Today’s CEO isn’t just a manager; they’re the voice, the culture, the personality of the company. That makes parachuting in as an outsider harder and growing your own “heir” more valuable. The future princes of the corporate world are often insiders, people who’ve been in the palace for years, know its winding corridors, and have trained in multiple roles.
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ISSUE 15 GLOBAL PAYROLL MAGAZINE
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