Source: Fortune
Summary
Arianna Huffington, founder of Huffington Post, says many CEOs are desperate to quit their jobs despite their high salaries and recognition. She claims that success can be a trap, making it difficult for people to leave their jobs even if they’re miserable. Huffington shares her own experience of walking away from Huffington Post to start a new venture, Thrive Global. She emphasizes that it’s essential to follow one’s heart and not let a job define one’s identity. Other successful entrepreneurs, such as Airbnb’s Brian Chesky and Wingstop’s Tom Grogan, have also spoken about feeling unfulfilled despite their success.
Our Reading
The strategy enters a familiar phase.
Arianna Huffington’s words echo the sentiments of other high-achievers who have spoken out about the emptiness of success. Brian Chesky, Airbnb’s CEO, called his company’s blockbuster IPO “one of the saddest periods” of his life. Tom Grogan, Wingstop’s cofounder, felt hollow after selling his business for £400 million. Vinay Hiremath, Loom’s cofounder, wrote about losing himself after selling his company for $975 million. Even TIAA’s CEO Thasunda Duckett is thinking about who she is outside of her job.
The numbers tell one story, but the real story is about identity.
Author: Evan Null
