The “risk” is based on alternatives and what gaining a reputation as a failure if you join a sinking ship at a company going through CEO’s quickly does to your future prospects.

Basically suppose you’re faced with a choice between a low risk CEO position that pays 5m/year you could do for the next 10+ years at a stable company and Intel who is most likely going to dump you. How much are you asking Intel per year, and how much do you want if they decide to terminate your contract for failing at achieving unrealistic goals in an unrealistic timeframe?

Those golden parachutes are often the result of an overly friendly board, but in some cases they are more easily justified.

What a load of crap. CEOs don't get fired, they step down to "spend time with their family".

A lot of them serially run companies into the ground too, and don't have any problems getting appointed.

I’m not sure if you’re joking but just in case…

Sometimes CEO’s, politicians, etc use phrases that don’t necessarily mean what a literal interpretation of them would suggest.

It is the risk that you won’t be able to convince one of the handful of people capable of understanding the most technologically advanced manufacturing processes in the world, having the right connections in the industry, to lead a culture change to right a ship.

Also, Gelsinger did not get $100M+.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/pat-gelsinger-lost-massive-14...

Tbf most of this is out of the hands of the CEO, outside the delusions of MBAs

And outside the delusions of random internet commenters, businesses that fail to pay market prices for quality labor, especially at the cutting edge, do not succeed. Whether it be CEO or IC electrical engineer/software developer.

That is one of the reasons Intel is where it is, overpaying for MBA talent and underpaying for engineering talent. A person capable of turning around Intel could easily get work at another tech company earn millions with far less risk and far less publicity. Intel needs some of the smartest people in the US working for them, it should have had the reputation of being among the highest paying employers.

CEOs aren't paid for they're labor (as if they're even capable of labor!). They're paid to be a liable wad of meat.