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American Execs Think they Deserve to be Paid Less

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This is hard to believe, but according to a new study, most American executives say they believe they are overpaid.

Four out of six top U.S. CEOs or company presidents polled said that the compensation of top executives was too high in relation to their very own performance. Only about two percent said their salaries were too low and about a third said their compensation was “just about right.”

Outside directors thoroughly agreed with them. More than 80 percent of them said that chief executives were definitely overpaid.

I think this is a big problem. Sure, there are plenty of people who are paid more than they’re worth. But it’s a big deal if you think that you are paid too much. If you don’t think that you’re worth every penny you’re paid, then you’re either not working hard enough or you don’t have much faith in your own abilities.

You need to be so good that people never question what you’re making and instead, are just grateful that they have you leading their team.

Donald J. Trump is Chairman of Trump University.

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5 Comments

[-] Posted by Business 2000 Foundation.com on 11/21/2007 4:22 PM
America deserves top executives...that are worth more to the company as the company would grow, prosper and develop. Many companies use vendors to simply gain more and not solidfy the company as a whole. Other companies just will not pay...what a person is really worth. That being said, it could be for a lot reasons the economy being one the many facters. Too much and not enough.

We think in a unique strategy, a company could prove themselves bigger in the market place by investing back to their company. Asking not only the executives, but also with company employee's...to give back and invest in themselves with company stock, benefits, options and etc...
[-] Posted by member1685482 on 11/22/2007 2:16 AM
Firstly, if these execs believe they are overpaid , then they should return
the part of the salary that exceeds their value. That being said, it is far easier
to say in a survey that you are overpaid, than to put those beliefs into action.

Secondly, re your appearance on Regis this week, I understand that you had
much to say about the price of $100 oil. I applaud you for speaking out about
this outrageous chokehold. I have been astounded and astonished that there
has been nothing said from either the president or the Congress about this.

I am even more surprised that the American people seem to shrug their
shoulders and say whatever. I cannot believe that the high cost of gas is
not eating into corporate profits unnecessarily, and that the executives you
speak of in this blog say nothing either. At least not publicly. I concur that there is a total lack
of leadership on this and perhaps if you, as a "captain of industry" continued
beating the drum about the outrageous price, finally some idiot in Washington
will hear what you say and decide to do something about it. As for me,
I use as little fuel as I can, and shake my head in disbelief that our leaders
say nothing.
[-] Posted by William Yang on 11/22/2007 6:22 PM
Vote TRUMP for President ! ! !

YeaH ! ! !
[-] Posted by member1725332 on 02/11/2008 9:28 AM
There are two types of power: Inner and outer. In American society today people only believe in the outer type subsequently everyone is trying to achieve material richness. Power in America is equated with money.

The study shows that there are a lot of CEOs with deep internal power which shows because they know that money doesn't enrich the soul. However, since most people believe that a man who has to be respected and followed must make millions a year, the CEO has to take the money so that people will trust their leadership even when deep down they'd rather share more of their salaries with the underlings.
[-] Posted by Rachael Sutton #1253595 on 12/15/2008 3:22 AM
This is an interesting study. Wouldn't you think that if they felt they were being overpaid they would do something about it? It seems like they would at least refuse a raise. They could give back the overage. They could give the whole team a raise. Or, like you said, they could work harder to earn the pay. I think I like that one best.
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