How having a job in management helps in real life

I have the luxury of working in management and working with people in management. These are people who enjoyed the same education I did, attended the same schools I did, went to the same jobs I have. 

It takes a special kind of person to be in this kind of position. Not everyone can do it for sure. These are people that can be decisive, supporting, helpful and successful, all at the same time. These are traits that help in a professional context, and also traits that help in a personal context.

You'll notice this when you find yourself having lost your passport in a strange country, mere minutes before your plane leaves. If you're in management, you'll stay calm, define a set of actions, and start systematically to resolve the problem. If you're not, it highly depends on your personal demeanor. You could get emotional, you could get restless, you could be sad or angry or aggressive. At worst you are not thinking straight anymore. And the chances of getting back your passport are reduced to zero and nil.

I've seen this situation occur several times with friends and family, and the difference in behaviour between those who are managers against those who are not, is staggering. And without fail, the former group is always successful, while the latter... well... let's just say they had to stay behind an extra day.