> Does a CEO provide 10x, 100x, 200x, 500x, or 1000x the value of ordinary employees? Moreover, we're not even "supposed" to look at value-created, aside from

> Does a CEO provide 10x, 100x, 200x, 500x, or 1000x the value of ordinary employees? Moreover, we're not even "supposed" to look at value-created, aside from setting a maximum feasible pay level. At least, that's what we're always told when looking at employees farther down the org chart—"deserve has nothing to do with it". I, for one, am deeply skeptical that the set of people who could run companies well is anywhere near as small as the comp suggests. I just think those at the top aren't interested in seeing that comp reduced. Sure, there's the board—but so-and-so on this board is a top officer with another company and wants to see top management pay rates stay high and need sky-high examples to compare themselves to when negotiating pay, and besides, they want their kids and nephews and so on to be able to pull those fat paychecks, too. And anyway, you want the CEO to appreciate you so that they use company resources (Other People's Money) to "appreciate" the other companies you have stakes in....