... Unless they're really good at it. I hate to admit it, but I'm a Fred. Extrinsic motivation doesn't work well for me. Yeah, I need to make some money I gue

... Unless they're really good at it. I hate to admit it, but I'm a Fred. Extrinsic motivation doesn't work well for me. Yeah, I need to make some money I guess, but I'll make some pretty hefty compromises re: pay and benefits if it means working with an interesting stack or on an interesting problem because intrinsically motivated work is far higher quality for me than extrinsically motivated work. A common pattern in my career is that my work stands out in some way that causes me to get pulled out of the main grind--and put on some fun special project. As long as the value you're providing by being a Fred is greater than the value of the job you were hired to do, I find that they'll find ways to keep you around. I do feel like a Jerk sometimes because I end up getting what feels like a promotion for doing my job poorly, while those doing it well have to stay and keep doing it, but when I buckle down and keep my nose to the grindstone I end up writing shitty code and letting my team down. If Fred is otherwise hard working, there's probably a place for him nearby.