Elbert Hubbard: Value Paid Worker
on Sunday, April 3, 2011Quotation on Money saying If we perceive work as drudgery, we’ll avoid doing more of it than we absolutely must do – but if we love our work we’ll never face this problem. Elbert Hubbard said:
“People who take pains never to do any more than they get paid for, never get paid for any more than they do” — Elbert Hubbard
Elbert Hubbard seems to be saying that workers who only put in the minimum effort required to avoid getting fired and who do not go above and beyond their core job duties will never advance professionally or see their compensation increase substantially over time.
The quote suggests that those who aim to simply “get paid” without demonstrating extra commitment, initiative or productivity will remain stuck being paid only for the basic work expected of their role. Meanwhile, employees who voluntarily take on more responsibilities or consistently produce quality results beyond what is required are more likely to have their additional contributions recognized through promotions, pay raises or other rewards.
In essence, Hubbard appears to be advising that maximum compensation comes to those who maximize their work output, not those who do the bare minimum.
Birthday: June 19, 1856 – Death: May 7, 1915