Achievement Quote by John Kenneth Galbraith
“The salary of the chief executive of a large corporation is not a market award for achievement. It is frequently in the nature of a warm personal gesture by the individual to himself.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Economics and the Public Purpose, 1973
Executive pay often reflects self‑interest rather than merit, acting as a personal reward.
In simple terms: High salaries can be self‑granted gifts.
Key Takeaway
Question compensation structures.
Themes
wealth
ethics
leadership
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
commentary
When to use this quote
- board meetings
- shareholder votes
- policy debates
- public scrutiny
Key Concepts
self‑interest
corporate governance
incentive design
Questions to Reflect On
- How does self‑interest affect corporate fairness?
- What reforms could align pay with achievement?
A Different Perspective
May overlook market benchmarks and performance metrics.
