Chief executive officers and general managers are at or near the top of the chain of command, and while they ultimately report to a board of directors or investors, they wield significant power within their enterprises. With power comes a great deal of responsibility. 

People in these roles are expected to provide both a vision of the future and the leadership required to bring it about. They could be well rewarded if they succeed. However, if they fail, they frequently lose their jobs. People get to the position of top executive by working their way up, either inside a single company or by holding jobs with growing responsibility in a range of firms. 

It is not uncommon for individuals to begin grooming themselves for positions while still in college, similar to how politicians prepare to run for office years in advance. Not everyone is cut out for the pressure and high-risk/high-reward aspect of these jobs. Those who can, however, typically regard their careers to be among the most rewarding in the business world.