The Real Problem with CEO Pay, and Why Young Men Don’t Volunteer Anymore

CEO compensation has surged to 280 times that of the average worker, with equity-based pay structures compounding wealth at significantly lower tax rates than labor income. Addressing this disparity requires progressive tax reform—specifically higher marginal tax rates on top earners and increased alternative minimum taxes for corporations—rather than government-imposed pay caps. Meanwhile, the decline in male participation in community service stems from misaligned incentives; reframing service as status-building or team-based activity can better engage young men. For business leaders managing high-performing employees whose initiatives diverge from the core mission, the solution is situational: if the employee’s work generates significant high-margin revenue, it may warrant a strategic pivot or a ring-fenced division, but if it serves as a distraction without clear financial upside, it should be discontinued.