Do Top Managers That Do Good Work Deserve A High Income?
© Copyright Frank D. Kanu 2000-2009
A great question indeed, but it leaves this one open: Should lower ranked employees that do good work get a high income too?
According to the CFO at one company I worked at: No.
He could not stand the fact that I made more money than he did. But he overlooked that I fixed a problem in 40 hours that their team hasn’t been able to fix in 3 months. Would I have been one of the company’s managers I sure would have gotten a big bonus, wouldn’t you agree?
We hear it over and over again; they deserve a good income because:
An impressive list, but isn’t most also true for the lower ranked employees? But all she gets to hear is: “Leave, if you do not like it.”
Truly the success of a company is not just the success of that one single manager on top, right? It’s the true leadership that gets the best out of every employee. Now we all understand why Jane Doe works in shipping and John in support. But if something goes wrong, they both will be willing to work more than the 8 hour shift. They both will be adding value—for the company’s customers. They both would leave if they get an offer that they consider better.
When the plebeians in ancient Rome went on to strike
Menenius Agrippa was sent out. He told the fable of the “The Belly and the Limbs “; convincing the plebeians to return to work. Many managers see themselves as the belly ensuring the survival of all. But without the limbs, a belly can’t survive either, right?
Technorati (All Links are external): added value ancient rome bonus cfo fable jane doe menenius agrippa money plebeians shipping sports stars survival top managers true leadership business leadership management negotiations politics teams
A great question indeed, but it leaves this one open: Should lower ranked employees that do good work get a high income too?
According to the CFO at one company I worked at: No.
He could not stand the fact that I made more money than he did. But he overlooked that I fixed a problem in 40 hours that their team hasn’t been able to fix in 3 months. Would I have been one of the company’s managers I sure would have gotten a big bonus, wouldn’t you agree?
We hear it over and over again; they deserve a good income because:
- Top managers work 90 hour weeks
- They produce good results
- Their income depends on the success of the company
- The bonus depends on the measurable added value
- Movie and sports stars have a big income too
- When not paid good enough they leave
- Achievements count
An impressive list, but isn’t most also true for the lower ranked employees? But all she gets to hear is: “Leave, if you do not like it.”
Truly the success of a company is not just the success of that one single manager on top, right? It’s the true leadership that gets the best out of every employee. Now we all understand why Jane Doe works in shipping and John in support. But if something goes wrong, they both will be willing to work more than the 8 hour shift. They both will be adding value—for the company’s customers. They both would leave if they get an offer that they consider better.
When the plebeians in ancient Rome went on to strike
Menenius Agrippa was sent out. He told the fable of the “The Belly and the Limbs “; convincing the plebeians to return to work. Many managers see themselves as the belly ensuring the survival of all. But without the limbs, a belly can’t survive either, right? Wouldn’t you agree with those that say that the fable from the “The Belly and the Limbs” is one of the biggest social lies of human kind?
Serving only managers?
History is full of very valuable lessons. Why do so many ignore them?
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added value ancient rome bonus cfo fable jane doe menenius agrippa money plebeians shipping sports stars survival top managers true leadershipTechnorati (All Links are external): added value ancient rome bonus cfo fable jane doe menenius agrippa money plebeians shipping sports stars survival top managers true leadership business leadership management negotiations politics teams
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