Are CEOs highly compensated because of scarcity or artificial scarcity? How would one tell the two apart? Answer the second question, apply it to the first, and I think even if we don't find an answer to your original question we would be in a better place.

Personally, I don't know. It does seem to be a lot of 'who you know' over 'what you know' at that level. Some special knowledge, but nothing that couldn't be taught with a 4 year degree. But it would be foolish of me to think I fully understand all that is needed. So I'm left wondering which is the case.