Arianna Huffington says even high-flying CEOs are unhappy and feel stuck in their multimillion-dollar jobs: ‘It’s a trap’

It’s every worker’s dream: You work hard and climb the ladder until eventually you’re rewarded with an executive title and cushy salary to go with it. But according to Huffington Post founder Arianna Huffington, the reality isn’t quite as glamorous as it looks—and plenty of CEOs, she says, are desperate to quit, despite seemingly having it all. 

“Success can be a trap,” Huffington told Fortune, adding that once you’ve dedicated years of your life to honing your craft and gaining recognition, it can feel impossible to leave it all behind and start something new. Even if you’re miserable where you’re at.

“It’s a trap because a lot of very successful people have a hard time leaving,” she explained. “I have CEO friends who’ve stopped loving their jobs, but they’re afraid to leave.” 

And it’s not just the huge mortgages, private school fees and luxury first-class vacations they’ve become accustomed to bankrolling with their multi-million dollar pay packages keeping them stuck. 

“The financial trap is much easier to see, while the identity trap is less tangible but no less real,” Huffington added. “They’re so identified with the CEO role, or the anchor of an evening show, or whatever big job comes with a lot of recognition—it’s become their identity.”

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