Shulin Lee Argues Impact, Not Effort, Drives Pay Raises on LinkedIn

In a recent LinkedIn post, Shulin Lee challenges the common perception that hard work alone warrants a pay raise, asserting instead that increased compensation is directly tied to taking on a larger scope of responsibility and delivering measurable impact. Lee frames the discussion by directly addressing the frequent complaints about perceived underpayment, stating that the reasons often cited—such as working long hours or enduring a difficult year—are not sufficient grounds for a salary increase.

The True Drivers of Compensation According to Lee

Shulin Lee emphasizes that companies compensate employees not for effort or time spent, but for the value and impact they generate. Lee posits that a fundamental misunderstanding of this principle leads many individuals to feel undervalued and to approach salary discussions ineffectively. The core of Lee’s argument is that a pay raise should correlate with a demonstrable expansion of one’s role and responsibilities.

“You only get paid more when you do a bigger job. Full stop.”

Lee elaborates on what constitutes a “bigger job,” highlighting key indicators such as increased revenue generation, managing larger clients, taking on team leadership, or gaining greater decision-making authority. The distinction is crucial, as Lee points out that simply working more hours or expending more effort does not equate to increased value in the eyes of an employer.

Strategic Approaches to Salary Negotiations

The post outlines common, yet ineffective, strategies people employ when discussing compensation, including venting, making comparisons to others, or issuing threats to leave. Lee describes these as emotional tactics that ultimately diminish an individual’s negotiating power. Instead, Shulin Lee advocates for a strategic, data-driven approach.

“The people who get paid more do this instead: → They show numbers → They show expanded scope → They show market data → They ask: ‘What does the next level look like?’”

According to Lee, successful negotiation involves presenting concrete evidence of expanded scope, quantifiable achievements, and relevant market data. Furthermore, Lee suggests a forward-looking approach by inquiring about the requirements and expectations for the next level of responsibility. This proactive stance, coupled with persistent follow-up, is presented as the path to securing a deserved raise.

Building Leverage Over Time

Shulin Lee stresses that salary negotiations are rarely resolved in a single meeting. The process, as described by Lee, is one of building leverage incrementally over time through consistent performance and demonstrable growth in responsibilities. The underlying principle is that leverage is earned through proven value.

“Hard truth: If you can’t prove your value… you don’t have leverage. And without leverage, there is no negotiation.”

Lee concludes by urging individuals to honestly assess whether their current role and contributions justify a higher salary, focusing on the “impact” delivered rather than just effort, time, or feelings. The post encourages self-reflection on actions taken to increase one’s leverage within their organization.