Leading and following

Something I’ve slowly picked up on while working many different jobs is that jobs that pay more are one’s that bear more responsibility.

That’s sounds obvious, because it is.

More agency equals more risk. More risk that things could go wrong or not work out.

And the ability to come up with a plan, to think on your feet, and to lead? Those skills are scarce and valuable.

It’s easy to do a job that requires silence or a script. Because then you’re just doing what you’re told—the career equivalent of paint by number.

It’s much harder to plan, think, and pivot on the cuff.

Which is why doing so is much more lucrative.