What’s the "Right" Compensation? Why It’s So Personal
CareerXperts Consulting
We Connect you with the "Right People", Companies, and Best Practices to Help You Thrive and Grow. Hiring for Startups!
Let’s start with a simple question that never has a simple answer:
What’s the “right” compensation?
Try asking ten people. You’ll likely hear ten completely different responses: “One that pays me what I’m worth.” “Something stable.” “Equity in a high-growth startup.” “Time to pursue what matters outside of work.”
The truth is, compensation isn’t just a number - it’s a mirror. It reflects your ambitions, priorities, risk appetite, and even your insecurities. That’s why no two people land on the same definition of “right.”
In a world obsessed with comparing offers and chasing market rates, this idea often gets lost. But if you want to make smarter, more fulfilling career decisions, it’s worth zooming out and asking:
What does compensation really mean for me - right now?
More Than a Salary: What Compensation Actually Means
When most people think compensation, they think salary. Maybe a bonus. Maybe some stock options.
But total compensation is a lot more layered. It includes:
Each of these carries a different weight depending on who you are and where you are in life. A twenty-something engineer might chase a startup's equity dream, while a seasoned leader with kids might value a generous healthcare plan and remote work flexibility.
“Being driven to achieve more is only sustainable if you know what you're achieving for.” - Adam Grant, Originals
Your compensation package is essentially your employer's budget for you. But the question is: does it reflect what YOU value right now?
Every Offer Comes With Trade-offs
Every compensation package is a bundle of trade-offs. When you say yes to one thing, you're usually saying no to another.
A high-paying corporate job might mean limited flexibility and less creative control. A startup with generous equity might offer lower fixed pay but greater potential upside. A freelance gig could give you total freedom but zero security.
What looks attractive on paper often comes with unseen costs:
It’s like ordering from an expensive restaurant menu where every dish has fine print. The real cost isn’t just in money, but in what you're agreeing to sacrifice.
“The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.” - Henry David Thoreau
Smart professionals don’t just ask “what am I earning?” They ask “what am I exchanging for it?”
Equity: Wealth Building, Not Just Wage Earning
Equity is the most misunderstood part of compensation.
Some people chase it blindly. Others avoid it altogether. But equity, when understood correctly, is not a salary - it’s a bet.
It’s the company saying: if we win, you win. For many, that win can be life-changing - not just in financial terms, but in the sense of having helped build something valuable from the ground up.
But here’s the nuance: equity pays off when you think and operate like an owner, not just an employee clocking in hours. It’s for people willing to stay the course, take initiative, and influence the company's trajectory.
“Ownership is the most powerful incentive in business.” - Naval Ravikant
Equity carries risk. Not every company reaches the success its founders envision. But for builders who want skin in the game, equity is how you turn work into wealth, not just wages.
If you see yourself shaping a company's future - not just participating in it - negotiating for equity isn’t just smart, it’s essential.
Your Priorities Will Change - So Should Your Compensation Strategy
The right compensation at 25 probably won’t be the same at 40.
Yet many people never re-evaluate what they want. They keep chasing higher numbers even when their life priorities have shifted.
“If you don’t prioritise your life, someone else will.” - Greg McKeown, Essentialism
This is why the smartest professionals conduct their own personal compensation audit every few years. Not just when they’re changing jobs, but when life itself changes.
How to Define Your Right Compensation
If you want to get compensation right, start by asking yourself:
With clarity on these, conversations about pay, equity, benefits, and flexibility become easier - because you know what matters most.
When your compensation reflects your current ambitions and life priorities, it stops being just a transaction. It becomes a tool for building the life you actually want.
Compensation That Reflects Who You Are Today
There is no universal formula for the "right" compensation. What’s right is what aligns with who you are, where you’re headed, and what you’re willing to trade to get there.
The professionals who understand this don’t just make more money - they make better decisions. They pick roles, companies, and paths that serve their current phase of life.
So the next time someone asks, "what's your expected compensation?" don’t just throw out a number. Share your priorities. Know your worth - but also know your why.
Because the best compensation isn’t just about what you earn. It’s about how well it funds the life you're trying to create.
Uncomplicate your career with us - questions or ideas? We’re here to help at every step! Connect with us at info@cxcareertalks.com.
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Here's a snapshot of what we're all about:
Call Center Specialist at Teleperformance
3wIam totally not happy with the company I work, less salary for a professional who has experience more than 20 years as well treat employees as slaves
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3wThanks for sharing