Some CEOs I’ve met aren’t smart.

The vast majority that I’ve worked with are deeply analytical, highly intelligent and understand people really well. By any measure they are “very smart”.

But what all CEOs are, like most people who get to that level, is incredibly disciplined and willing to sacrifice almost anything to achieve at work. They work insane hours, at least all the ones I’ve seen.

It’s a nice story that it’s just a lottery and once you’re there you’re somehow in some secret club. The reality, at least as far as I’ve seen it, is very different; it’s about what you’re willing to give up to get there.