CEO responsibilities

[Catsofthebase3]

Originally Posted by macroy

Yea... but its not like that gig just fell in their laps. Many worked their arses off to get there (as GOCUBS pointed out)... Also, once you get to that level, the job market is only so big... hence the huge severance packages. I'm sure there are leaders that have no business being there (more luck than skill.. but I'm also willing to bet that they are in the minority).

And knowing some of these A types.. the money is really secondary.

And your last comment says a lot (not picking on you.. it's said by many). You and I wish for the opportunity... they actually go out and get it.

There is indeed a lot of hard work that goes into obtaining that level of pay, responsibility and employment. There is also a good number of people who exploit it at the expense of workers and stockholders alike.

The problem isn't the pay packages, its the politics. You are expected to schmooze your way into the top level, to know the right people, go to the right events, give to the right charities and speak at the right universities. All of that jawboning and hand shaking can make folks cynical, and bitter.

Personally, I'd be more content with a system organized on merit, not a system that just takes it into consideration among other factors.

[fjtee]

Originally Posted by GoCUBS1

This is a hard ? for me and I know few have sympathy for the CEO. But I have personally known many business owners/CEO's who have made great sacrifices for their employees. When they started the co., they invested their life savings and lived frugally, worked unbelievably long hours, missed family events, took great risks and made tough decisions to build their businesses. They provided good work environments, salaries and expensive benefits to their 9-5 employees. Yet, when the market goes south, their high salary is to blame (even though some spent years taking absolutely no salary from their business so they could grow profits and meet their payroll and benefit costs). I know some CEO's have not had to face any of the above struggles.... but I personally know many who have.

Hi. What you describe above sounds like an entrepreneur and I wholeheartedly agree when it's someone like that. But, most CEOs aren't entrepreneurs and haven't faced those struggles. They may have worked hard, but most haven't stuck their necks out like most entrepreneurs have.

That's my 2 cents.

[HappyTexan]

Especially Big Corp. CEO's. Those are the ones that only care about shareholders and the bottom line.