THE QUESTION
Should Coaches and Leaders Take Pay Cuts?
At a time when the economy is in such dire straights, should highly paid college basketball coaches, like the University of Connecticut's Jim Calhoun, be volunteering to take pay cuts? Should leaders and executives across all sectors be doing the same?
Posted by Sally Jenkins on March 13, 2009 2:24 PM
FROM THE PANEL
Take One For the Team
In times of adversity, demonstrating the ability to "take one for the team" and "lead by example" is not only responsible, it is essential.
Posted by Suzanne Nora Johnson, on March 19, 2009 3:20 PM
Recession Heroes
George Jones and the staff of Bread for the City, who deliberated together about how to weather budget cuts, set an example of how to handle this economic crisis with grace and dignity. They are true leaders.
Posted by Kathy Kretman, on March 19, 2009 9:48 AM
Flying Coach
When cuts are being imposed on employees in times of hardship, leaders should not take pay cuts along with the employees. They should take them before the employees.
Posted by Norm R. Augustine, on March 18, 2009 10:49 AM
Method Behind the Madness
This economic crisis offers an important chance to rethink the value and pay of leaders in all areas, and organizations might be able to end the pay arms race that has not always given us leaders with the values that we want for our organizations and institutions.
Posted by Joanne B. Ciulla, on March 17, 2009 12:17 PM
An Open Secret
College sports is big business. Would it be appropriate for the coaches to decline these million-plus salaries? Probably not, but the press needs to offer the public more details on an open secret.
Posted by Elizabeth Sherman, on March 17, 2009 12:11 PM
Give Back
College coaches who make more than full professors at their schools should think about giving up some of their salary to support struggling sports programs or sports scholarships.
Posted by Slade Gorton, on March 16, 2009 1:50 PM
Calhoun's Leadership Moment
While Jim Calhoun defended his high salary down the last time, a hospital administrator in Boston led an emotional call for belt-tightening in the organization to protect low-paid workers. Here's what we learn from these two leadership moments.
Posted by William C. Taylor, on March 16, 2009 10:48 AM
The Officer Should Eat Last
When executives take pay cuts, it makes a more powerful statement about their leadership than words could ever convey.
Posted by Michael Useem, on March 16, 2009 10:29 AM
Pay Cuts: More Than Just a Gesture
A pay cut has the symbolic value of showing that a leader cares about the hardships of those hurting from the economic recession.
Posted by Yash Gupta, on March 16, 2009 10:18 AM
Team Players Needed
As a leader or coach, sending the message that you are "looking out for number one" runs counter to the message we need, especially in tough times: That teams must pull together to win.
Posted by Barry Posner, on March 15, 2009 10:33 PM
Who Bears the Burden?
Unlike AIG employees receiving bonuses, college coaches and university leaders are not responsible for the economic downturn. But they should consider cutting their own salaries to protect those in a weaker position.
Posted by Paul R. Portney, on March 15, 2009 10:24 PM
The Emotional Slam Dunk
We experience the financial crisis emotionally, not just rationally. Therefore, the willingness of leaders to tangibly acknowledge the stress their people are experiencing is a central element of sustained recovery.
Posted by Marty Linsky, on March 15, 2009 10:17 PM
Encouraging Flexibility
Cutting wages is an important way to avoid lay-offs, and any leaders calling for such measures should begin with themselves.
Posted by Roger Martin, on March 15, 2009 10:09 PM
College Coaches Versus CEOs
Exceptional coaches have high salaries because they create winning teams and make money for the colleges that pay them. Many CEOs whose companies have had losing years can't claim the same justification for their huge salaries and bonuses.
Posted by Michael Maccoby, on March 15, 2009 10:04 PM
Uncommon Leadership
Leaders should share the hardships of their comrades and see to the needs of their followers before attending to their own. Such selfless leadership unfortunately seems to be a rarity in many organizations today.
Posted by George Reed, on March 15, 2009 9:58 PM
Private Acts
If you are going to voluntarily take a pay cut, it might be even more impressive to do it privately -- instead of publicly.
Posted by Marshall Goldsmith, on March 15, 2009 9:54 PM
March's True Madness
Sharing in the pain of budget cuts is both a symbolic and appropriate response to the economic crisis. "March Madness" would be ignoring the team responsibilities we have as leaders and Americans.
Posted by Andy Stern, on March 15, 2009 9:40 PM
Share the Pain
Research shows that a common fate and a set of shared experiences is the best way to build a cohesive unit -- and that's precisely what is required to meet the competitive challenge many companies now face.
Posted by Jeffrey Pfeffer, on March 15, 2009 9:33 PM
Earn Less, That Others May Work
Leaders in public institutions don't need to take a vow of poverty. But earning more than two or three times as much as the U.S. president is hardly a vow of poverty.
Posted by Howard Gardner, on March 15, 2009 8:55 PM
Integrity Has Many Forms
Coach Calhoun has been successful over the long run by playing by the rules and not cheating. So here's to integrity and values, no matter how they are lived and expressed.
Posted by John H. Cochran, MD, on March 15, 2009 8:47 PM
Walking the Leadership Walk
One of the expense-reduction measures that we at Klein Steel are prepared to execute is salary and wage cuts, but you can bet that we will start with the senior leadership of the company.
Posted by Gen. John Batiste (Ret.), on March 15, 2009 8:38 PM
Compensation Limits
Peter Drucker, the best mind in management, spoke over and over about the social and moral consequences of multi-million dollar payoffs for leaders. How do you think these huge compensation packages make working people feel?
Posted by Bob Buford, on March 13, 2009 3:41 PM
Save & Share:
AgentG: A fine question. Here in the heart of Texas, at one of the largest universities in the world, the salary of the basketball coaches, both wo...
JPRS: In Calhoun's case he argues that his salary is a fraction of the revenue that the UConn basketball program generates for both the school and...
BurtReynolds: I will always support compensation that is commensurate with the contribution to the organization. If a company has a salesperson who blows...
