My last manager told me I wasn’t worth the salary he paid me. “We gave you a job at a time you had no job and paid you well above your market rate” he said (verbatim). When I left that job, I remember thinking I was so worthless because I had lost a salary that I was really proud of at the time. As I stepped up to the biggest stage of my career this past weekend at DataConnect Conference, I thought about his words. I’ve always been terrified of public speaking, but up on that stage, I was so calm. Hundreds of people came to see ME and listened to what I had to say (crazy). Not one of them cared about what my “market rate” was. The second I stepped off, I knew I had accomplished something that the Megan from a few months ago could never imagine doing. And that’s when I knew, my worth never came from any employer or paycheck, but rather from what I set my mind to and do.
I swear people in middle management are just stacked children in a trench coat. What a vile thing for him to say and I'm so sorry you had to endure that. But you've bounced back, which is amazing!
Your worth is absolutely not defined by your output or how much money you make! The value you give so many people who are fighting imposter syndrome, wondering if they are smart enough to be in tech, or scared to make their voices heard is INVALUABLE. PROUD OF YOU FOR DOING YOUR THING AND INSPIRING SO MANY WOMEN 💛
Verbatim. PERIODTTTTTTT
Geez, you make a bamboo tree jealous of your rate of growth. Great self reflection Megan Lieu. This is just the beginning im sure.
I bet your ex-boss is kicking himself in the foot now... OH HOW WRONG HE WAS! The salary can't hold a candle to what you can achieve + impact you're having
Megan Lieu - I agree with your manager - you are not worth what he paid you - you are worth way MORE! Congrats on an outstanding presentation at the DataConnect Conference and inspiring so many with your story of resilience!
They actually paid you based on your worth. Do not define your value by your paycheck though.
Megan Lieu well.... that's a person that shouldn't be in charge of leading anyone. I'm sorry your boss said that. Terrible. But look at you now!
It sounds like your manager wasn't worth the money the company paid him. Good riddance. I'm sure your talk was excellent... hopefully I'll get to attend one someday.
Developer Advocate @ ML Data | Creator (200k+) | Keynote Speaker | Instructor @ LinkedIn Learning
1mo📌 Friendly reminder: your worth will NEVER be dictated by a condescending manager that gaslights you 😊