Typically the way it works is the comp structure is such that after a few years in the role you can semi-retire. The goal of anyone who is a CEO is to try throw their hat in the ring, hopefully do a good job, and then step away to help other people who want to be CEOs. Generally they do this by taking on board seats or becoming an investor. The average CEO tenure is 7 years and the median is 5 years[1]. This is not a job you can do for a long time without it basically killing you due to the stress.

I'm sure you've seen all the before/after pictures they always do for POTUS. If you saw similar photos for folks becoming CEOs of a major company, you'd see a similar change. Being a CEO is a job that will literally run you ragged. It destroys your health, and is not something most people can tolerate for longer than a decade.

[1]: https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/2018/02/12/ceo-tenure-rates/

CEOs of large companies generally don't go back down the food chain because they don't need to. They retire/semi-retire (e.g. get a board seat or some other advisor type of position) instead.

The strongest factor in personal employment decisions is what we "need to". Of course a CEO doesn't need to continue pulling their weight when they have piles of cash to retire on.

As a CEO (or elite athlete, etc.) it can also be getting an even more prestigious role. But, yes, failing that it probably makes sense to drop the whole thing and just enjoy your piles of cash (which may or may not involve still doing some nominal work).

> The strongest factor in personal employment decisions is what we "need to".

Possibly, but once that's satisfied, or even the satisfaction of that is well in the rear view mirror, other things become important. E.g. company mission; prestige; moving in the right circles; pushing into politics.