Their sultan was descended from a royal line, but there was a tradition of selecting the operational head of the government, the grand vizier, from non-Turkish stock.

NPR: The History of Political Succession

Able to give orders directly to the grand vizier, her influence on the sultan, on the selection of his wives and concubines and on matters of state was often profound.

BBC: Uncover the secrets of Topkapi Palace

Indeed, running a big American firm or a Silicon Valley start-up is now riskier than being grand vizier in the court of the Ottoman sultan.

ECONOMIST: Firing the boss