Today I met with the former CEO of one of the country's largest media organizations.
An interesting point that came up during our conversation: generally speaking, the more demanding an employee is about salary, the more likely they are to be among the least effective workers in the company.
I had noticed this pattern in my own business, and I was surprised to hear from him that it's a far broader phenomenon.
Why does this happen?
We can choose a profession and a workplace because it aligns with our worldview and abilities, and gives us a sense of fulfillment.
Alternatively, we can choose a profession and workplace simply because that's where we can earn the highest salary.
An employee who suffers at work just for the paycheck genuinely feels they are working "harder" — not because the work itself is hard, but because it causes them distress. As a result, they feel they deserve more compensation for the difficulty of doing the job.
An employee who enjoys their work doesn't watch the clock, goes home feeling satisfied, and feels far less need to push for a raise — because the salary isn't the only reason they show up.
So if you feel you're not being paid enough, ask yourself a few questions:
1. **Am I generating more financial value for the company than I'm receiving?**
If you are generating profit (not revenue) significantly above what you're being paid, you're a good employee. If not, ask yourself honestly whether you would be willing to hire yourself at that same salary.
2. **Are other employers willing to pay me more than my current workplace?**
If other employers are willing to pay you more, you may be being taken advantage of — don't give up. If not, it's probably worth taking some evening courses, going on job interviews, and only then coming back to ask for a raise.
3. **Is my workplace causing me suffering?**
If your workplace is causing you suffering, drop everything and get out. You cannot endure month after month of misery just for a paycheck.
In the end — you only live once (and even that isn't guaranteed to go the full distance).