Being a CEO Is Overrated: Why You Should Be an Employee Instead

Executive overview

Most people chase entrepreneurship for the wrong reasons. Noah Kagan argues the real goal isn't ownership — it's securing the four P's: Purpose, Product, People, and Pay. These four factors matter whether you're a founder or an employee. The hidden cost of running your own business is the fifth P: Problems — taxes, hiring, strategy, and emotional weight. If a job offers all four P's, taking it is the smarter move.

The Four P's Framework

• Purpose — does the work give you genuine significance?
• Product — are you building or selling something you actually believe in?
• People — do your colleagues make you sharper and better?
• Pay — are you compensated at the level you require?

The Fifth P: Problems

• Entrepreneurship adds an unavoidable layer: taxes, legal, HR, market risk, strategy
• These problems consume time and energy that employees never face
• Kagan admits he would take a job if it met all four P's at his target salary

Key Takeaway

• Stop optimising for the title of "founder" or "CEO"
• Optimise for the four P's in whatever role you're in
• The best career move is the one that delivers all four — regardless of whether you own the business