Prominent business executives often play active roles in United States presidential campaigns as fund-raisers or backroom strategists, but few actually seek to become president themselves  Throughout history the great majority of those who have sought to become president have been lawyers, military leaders, or full-time politicians  This is understandable, for the personality and skills that make for success in business do not make for success in politics  Business is largely hierarchical, whereas politics is coordinative
As a result, business executives tend to be uncomfortable with compromises and power-sharing, which are inherent in politics
Some hierarchically structured companies have been major financial supporters of candidates for president.