Originally Posted by Jet

is that your compensation isn't necessarily tied to what you bring to the table, but how much damage your departure can cause.

There's a subtle difference.

A top salesman is well-compensated because of his performance and the hit the company would take if he chooses to leave.

In contrast, an executive who doesn't do much can still be compensated well because he may have all the key contacts. In this case, he's paid entirely to stay rather than produce.

My advice to young men--Position yourself to be a lynchpin and reinforce it every chance you get. Do it in multiple areas. Be dangerous. Powerful people make deals with dangerous people. The rest are liquidated.