When CEOs Are Honest About the Role

I am not a psychologist.

But this week, Eugene Cho, CEO of Bread for the World, told me that our conversation felt like a free therapy session. 

I simply ask a lot of questions. And many CEOs end up saying things that they don’t usually get to discuss. Eugene shared:

“I don't typically use the word enjoy for the work that I'm doing. And I think some have found that to be a little concerning. Because I think in our ideal scenario, we want to be giddy. We want to be singing our songs. This makes me so happy and joyful…But I don't go around saying, man, I'm having so much fun.”

Lots of trustees and executive team members think the CEO role is the pinnacle of a career, and thus joyful.

But when you get CEOs talking, in a confidential space, the reality emerges: