Power
While it's perfectly possible that there are lots of toll takers out there with leadership potential, it's pretty safe to say that none of them are utilizing that particular skillset. Even supposing you climb the ranks to become supervisor over an entire toll facility, you still won't be exercising the type of power that causes journalists to swarm you for your opinion on foreign affairs.
The most likely scenario is you'll spend several years in the booth before there's anyone you outrank, and several more before you're even given the authority to train or review lower-level employees.
Regardless of how high you soar in the world of toll facilities, the toll is still in charge. That means even if you'd like to exercise the power you do have over that little gate to do some good—let someone through who's having a difficult day, say—you can't. Not even if you pay the toll for them.
So don't get too hooked on any power you think you have. Your function is to take tolls, and if you can't handle it, they won't hesitate to roll out the robot replacements. Got that? Don't get any ideas.