John reluctantly boarded his private jet. After a few minutes it took off from Boeing Airfield in Seattle, headed for Zürich, Switzerland. Why must I always go on these business trips? Why can’t someone else go instead? The company doesn’t always need to be represented by the CEO; there are other high level executives that could share the responsibility.

John opened up his laptop and started writing an email. After he sent it, he noticed his stomach growling. “Samuel, please have the food brought in,” called John hungrily. “And tell the flight attendant not to forget the wine.”

“Yes, Sir,” responded the Personal Assistant, a very close friend and respected advisor of John’s.

John started working on a presentation for his meeting in Switzerland while he was waiting for his meal. Samuel returned with the flight attendant. “Thank you for the food,” said John, “Samuel, please sit down.”

As he sat down, the Personal Assistant replied, “As you wish, Sir.”

“Samuel, do you know what the problem is? I dislike my job. All these meetings and conferences, why can’t they send someone else for a change? I know I’m the CEO but it doesn’t always have to be me. Samuel, I want to be somewhere I’m happy. What do you think I should do Samuel? You seem to have good ideas,” said John in between bites of native Washington Chinook salmon and sips of Washington’s Chateau Ste. Michelle wine.

“You could retire, Sir?”

“I’ve thought about that but I couldn’t bear to let the company out of family control. The Smith Family has owned Smith Industries since they founded it in 1923.”

“Why don’t you transfer ownership of the company to another family member, Sir?

“Because my last living relative, my cousin Edward, was killed serving the U.S. in Iraq.”

“Sir, have you thought of finding yourself a wife?”

“The problem is, Samuel, there aren’t that many great women out there.”

“You should just give it a shot, sir,” said the Personal Assistant with encouragement.

After he finished eating the salmon, John said, “That’s not a bad idea, but most rich women have either found someone or have a personality and/or ethics I don’t like.”