One of my favorite movies is Jerry Maguire. Jerry is a sports agent to the arrogant athlete, Rod Tidwell, who’s favorite phrase is “show me the money.” Rod focuses exclusively on what he deserves and isn’t getting which only makes matters worse. Only when Rod changes his perspective and starts giving instead of taking, does he receive what he is looking for. I wrote an entire analysis of Jerry’s vulnerable, loyal, and inspirational leadership style. Check it out here.

I write about a lot of lofty topics on this blog. I like to write about servant leadership, inspiration, vision, mission, community, diversity, innovation, and many other topics. I spend a lot of time thinking and writing about why we do what we do, and how we can be as effective as possible.

These reasons get me out of bed in the morning and give me energy to do my best work. There’s another reason you and I do this as well: a paycheck. Oh yeah, that.

Working for a paycheck

Yes, I work hard to support my family just like you do. My oldest son is approaching the age of which he will soon get his first job. I explained income to him like this:

• If someone hires you for $5 and you produce $5 of value, you are even. You might even think that’s fair, but it’s just as easy for that person to keep the $5 and not go to the trouble and risk of hiring you.
• If someone hires you for $5 and you produce $8 of value, you are serving well. You may even work on your skills and start producing $10 of value before long.
• Your boss will recognize your value creation and will pay you $7, not because you deserve it, but because that’s what you are worth in the market, and your boss would rather keep you than start over with someone new.

This example, of course, is overly simplistic, but it illustrates the principle of income as derivative of value creation.

Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value. He is considered successful in our day who gets more out of life than he puts in. But a man of value will give more than he receives. – Albert Einstein

Start with value

Some look at income as something taken out of the world. Many see wealth as something inherently bad or perhaps neutral, but not something good. I look at income as a lagging indicator of value creation. I focus hard on doing higher-value things, developing higher-value skills, and giving generously of my talents. Eventually this should result in my income going up. Not because I deserve it or have aggressively taken it, but because that’s how the market responds to the value I’ve created. Value first, income second.

Many wish they could make more money. Some go out on job interviews just to see if they can land a bigger paycheck. There are always plenty of extrinsic factors that hold our attention. I like to focus on what I can control: the value I create.

The bottom line is I really want to create a whole lot of value and make a serious impact in enterprise technology leadership through the course of my career. As Einstein put it, I aim to give more than I receive. I work in an honest profession for an organization with a noble mission. I have much to be grateful for.