Edit: should have googled better, it's this smiley: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Smiley
The Grey Man principle is a good one, as far as it goes, except maybe the gender.
Fictional spies are interesting reflections of social angst, but I think we're about ready now for a fictional Valerie Plame.
Also, where was the interview you watched?
I'm trying to remember where. It was a TV program in the UK, and I think the interview took place in an unused london underground station, I think. Sorry. ...
[edit 1:] Was it some kind of show where they trained people to be spies for the camera? I seem to also remember footage of someone having to plant a letter in their mother's handbag without being seen by them. Sorry for not being helpful. Like I said I wasn't trying to make a significant point: the discussion of spies just reminded me.
[edit 2:] Can't find a YT clip of that bit, but the show was 'Spymaster', or 'Spy'. I hope I'm not remembering it too wrongly.
The expense account is a reptile fund over drafted by senior management for spurious expenses, he travels, but to cold and boring places, usually on a budget and staying out of sight in cramped hotels and safe houses.
Instead of sleeping with beautiful women, he spends most of his time working, and being cheated on by his detached wife.
And when he actually makes it to the top, he just finds himself overburden with political machinations, stakeholder management, and longing for the time when he'd actually get something done.