4 ms·

Yes, why would it not be? It’s still skin in the game. If we think it’s a symbolic gesture, which it may well be, it is still a gesture that most CEOs would no

by wenc 2y ago

Yes, why would it not be? It’s still skin in the game. If we think it’s a symbolic gesture, which it may well be, it is still a gesture that most CEOs would not have made. Unlike most here, I don’t think with this he’s saying please punish me for wrongdoing, but more I take responsibility for this failure (which could have happened many levels below him) and will take the loss personally. Sounds like HN folks would love for Nadella to completely reduce his salary compared to last year. I don’t know that I agree. I’d say, let’s see you do it.

diggan 2y ago
> Yes, why would it not be? It’s still skin in the game. [...] and will take the loss personally. Because there isn't any loss overall? His compensation went up 63%, what are these losses you're talking about? If his total compensation actually went down, I'd totally agree with you. But it didn't, which is why I don't understand how this is seen as "great leaders punish themselves".
- jjmarr 2y ago
  He would've had 5 million more dollars this year if he didn't ask the board to change the terms of his contract to give him less money. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opportunity_cost https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opportunity_cost
  - diggan 2y ago
    Yeah, so he would have gotten $84.1 million instead of what he really got, only $79.1 million. Imagine being a CEO yet so poor.
    - wenc 2y ago
      So if I’m hearing you right, it sounds like you’re looking for net loss to justify the statement that “good CEOs punish themselves”, a statement made by another HNer and not by Nadella himself? He did take a loss but not a net loss, so it didn’t go far enough is what I’m sensing? Thus it’s an empty gesture devoid of any commitments to improve? For me when I see gestures like this, I’m like oh ok. At some level I know it’s symbolic but it still sends a good signal. It doesn’t scream hypocritical to me.

by wenc 2y ago

diggan 2y ago

> Yes, why would it not be? It’s still skin in the game. [...] and will take the loss personally. Because there isn't any loss overall? His compensation went up 63%, what are these losses you're talking about? If his total compensation actually went down, I'd totally agree with you. But it didn't, which is why I don't understand how this is seen as "great leaders punish themselves".

jjmarr 2y ago
He would've had 5 million more dollars this year if he didn't ask the board to change the terms of his contract to give him less money. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opportunity_cost https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opportunity_cost
- diggan 2y ago
  Yeah, so he would have gotten $84.1 million instead of what he really got, only $79.1 million. Imagine being a CEO yet so poor.
  - wenc 2y ago
    So if I’m hearing you right, it sounds like you’re looking for net loss to justify the statement that “good CEOs punish themselves”, a statement made by another HNer and not by Nadella himself? He did take a loss but not a net loss, so it didn’t go far enough is what I’m sensing? Thus it’s an empty gesture devoid of any commitments to improve? For me when I see gestures like this, I’m like oh ok. At some level I know it’s symbolic but it still sends a good signal. It doesn’t scream hypocritical to me.