If his status came from the trust of one person that might be true. But it comes from ability and from character and from the consequent respect of many people

If his status came from the trust of one person that might be true. But it comes from ability and from character and from the consequent respect of many people. One bad manager could certainly tank his group (as in https://steveblank.com/2009/12/21/the-elves-leave-middle-earth-%E2%80%93-soda%E2%80%99s-are-no-longer-free/ https://steveblank.com/2009/12/21/the-elves-leave-middle-ear...) but that theoretical manager wouldn't tank him -- he can just move on to a better place. I hired him once and if he were in a bad spot I'd hire him again in a heartbeat. In the meantime, of course, he has lived within his means for years and could weather any financial storms likely to blow his way.