The Unexpected Realities of Being a CEO (That No One Tells You About)

The Unexpected Realities of Being a CEO (That No One Tells You About)

When you become a CEO, people talk about the big stuff: strategic decisions, growing profits, and navigating market turbulence.

But there are other things—*weird* things—that nobody prepares you for. Let’s dive into some unexpected, sometimes humorous, realities of CEO life.

1. The Never-Ending Email Avalanche

You think your inbox is bad now? Just wait. As CEO, your inbox becomes a bottomless pit. You’ll start dreaming about emails (if you ever get any sleep) and realize that no matter how fast you respond, the emails multiply like gremlins.

Pro Tip: Find joy in using the “Mark as Unread” button—because that email about the team’s sock color choices? Yeah, it can wait.

2. Mastering the Art of Small Talk

Networking events? Get ready to talk about weather, golf (even if you’ve never held a club), and where the shrimp cocktail is sourced. CEOs need to be pros at small talk that feels meaningful but doesn’t really lead anywhere. The trick is pretending you’re deeply interested in everything—especially when you’ve heard it all before.

Pro Tip: Master a few key phrases like, “That’s fascinating!” and “Tell me more!”—they’ll be your life raft at every corporate mixer.

3. Everyone Thinks You Have the Answers

Spoiler alert: You don’t always have the answers, and that’s okay. The problem is, once you’re the CEO, everyone assumes you have the magical solution to every problem. Need to pick the lunch menu for the team retreat? Ask the CEO. Wondering why the coffee machine is broken? Ask the CEO.

Pro Tip: Perfect the art of delegation. Send that coffee machine query to the person who knows—because, let’s face it, you don’t.

4. The Unseen Dress Code

Remember when you thought being CEO meant you could wear whatever you wanted? Yeah, no. Whether it’s that urgent board meeting or a surprise client lunch, suddenly you’re scrutinizing whether your socks match your tie—and that’s on top of everything else you have to juggle.

Pro Tip: Keep an emergency blazer in your office at all times. You never know when a casual Friday could turn into a high-stakes meeting.

5. The Unscheduled Heart-to-Hearts

Once you’re at the top, everyone’s got advice for you. From your barista to the guy at the gym—everyone’s got ideas on how you can run your company better. These unsolicited nuggets of wisdom can be hilarious, insightful, or downright puzzling, but they come with the territory.

Pro Tip: Smile, nod, and occasionally write them down. You never know—*some* of those tips might actually be useful.

Final Thoughts: Embrace the Chaos

Being a CEO is filled with unexpected surprises—both good and downright weird.

While you’ll have to juggle constant demands and develop a strange fondness for small talk, the reality is that the role will push you to grow in ways you never imagined.

So embrace the chaos, lean into the fun, and remember: no one really knows what they’re doing all the time.

If you’ve encountered any unexpected CEO surprises, DM me!

I'd love to connect and chat!