To think a lot of people earning 6 figures aren’t actually that smart, just lucky?

[SnarkyDenimFox]

I’ve met plenty of high earners and honestly, a lot of them don’t seem any sharper than the rest of us. Right place, right time, right connections. AIBU to think it’s often luck, not talent?

Watching every inquiry, Hillsborough, Council/medical scandals, the post office etc, Liz Truss, Kwasi Kwarteng you don't even have to be that good at your job.
We were always fed that those in charge were a rare breed and deserved the discrepancy in wages and the lifestylethat went with it, we now that that isn't the case.

Yes, they very often have no more inherent talent than others. It mainly comes down to drive, resilience, taking opportunities when the arise, and a willingness to take a risk. And whilst it’s not all down to “hard work”, I know very few six figure earners who are “lazy” - most put in considerable time and effort.

Nah, I’m really smart 😂

I would say I’ve taken chunky pay cuts to keep my sanity - I now make low six figures for a chilled 9-5 which suits me fine.

In dh and my (and our friends’) case: not luck but planning. Planning from age 16 - the right subjects to do law and choosing the university with better grad prospects and then making choices that we knew would impact future earnings eg choosing law not journalism, choosing commercial law not family law.

In both our cases no parental input (other than providing a stable home life, which is luck) and no contacts to get us where we are now.

I have 2 degrees and worked myself up from an assistant to a Director over 30 years. I’ve been a 6 figure earner now for 4 years (as a base salary) but with benefits the package has been worth a lot! For me I’ve been in an industry thankfully that was thriving until recently (pharmaceuticals). Are we smarter than everyone else - no! But I’ve changed jobs every 5 years to get better salaries but I also have experience which counts for a lot. I was laid off for the first time earlier this year and I worked hard to get a new job and quickly! So I would say I’ve also worked hard since I was about 13 years old and have a strong work ethic! That counts for a lot!

I would say DH and I are of equal intelligence (same uni, same degree class, different subjects). I am probably a bit better at office politics/knowing my way round a system than he does. We both do competitive jobs where there are 100s more applicants than vacancies at entry level. He earns 6 figures and I don't because of the difference in our industries.

We probably both could do each others jobs. I'd be frustrated by the values in his and I'd hate the hours. He couldn't deal with some of the idiots in mine. He values the money more than I do.

It’s not just brains it’s largely personality, social and management skills. Plus often upbringing /school/university/connections play a role.

I suspect everyone has known a lot of 'book smart' people in their lives, people who found school a breeze but had no people skills or common sense.... You're describing a lot of those people

Totally agree. Not quite 6 figures but almost. I am not particularly intelligent but what's gotten me this far and is often pointed out in appraisals etc is my soft skills like emotional intelligence, and also attitude. I'm also pretty quiet and only speak when I rrally have something to say.

The rest of the job could be learnt by anyone I reckon.

I often wonder how to teach my kids it as I genuinely think that's the main thing you need in life.

I think there are two aspects to it.

If you're reasonably bright and willing to put the time, effort and hours in to acquire skills which are in relatively short supply/high demand, you can earn a (lowish) 6 figure salary, depending on having the right 'know-how' (including connections) to work out how to monetise this. City solicitors, senior accountants, senior doctors, some IT jobs etc. Some careers, e.g. medicine/education, do have a 'cap' on what you can earn - usually a fairly high cap, e.g. a few hundred k, but still a cap. You're not going to be earning millions in these professions, however high you go.

To get further up (high 6 figure/7 figure salary), you need confidence and personality. It's about being willing to take on risk and inspire confidence in others, so that they think you deserve to be there and deserve to earn what you're earning. Part of it is smoke and mirrors, but not all - that confidence is crucial to e.g. winning business etc.

Being non-judgemental isn't necessarily a sign of high emotional intelligence. It can just as well be a result of a lack of interest in people. If you don't care about others, you don't care what they do, or how what they do impacts others.

I wasn’t really referring to that point, more about knowing when to shut up.

The ability to get on with everyone and not rock the management boat will get your promoted far faster than any qualification, any amount of influence from people you know, and being attractive (although this may get you a foot in the door).

I'd definitely say a lot of people in low earning roles are more than capable given the right support and education.

Sadly, many don't have the opportunity or have no idea how to chase their dream.
Your circumstances are impacted by your social circle.

Social mobility is changing.

Combination of brains, luck, personality and making good intentional choices.

How about hard work, resilience and persistence?

I don't know why people think a 6 figure job is easy and people are lounging around doing fuck all.

It really really depends on the sector - I’ve known high earners in the trades ( usually hard working ) media - prepared to take risks and often erratic earnings, businesses ( again took a risk and persevered ‘at some point’ and often prepared to be workaholics) and those in sales, who were not always that bright but were luckily in on a good product, and had the right mindset, a thick skin and persevered and then yes those who started in the professions law, medecine and accountancy, stayed consistent and built up networks and networks -

lets compare say Martin Lewis and Boris Johnson - one an incredibly hard worker with a pretty likeable personality and knowledge - the other who has got by on being likeable to some, posh and the right networks .

I don’t think privilege always comes into it either - confidence, resilience and drive though ‘usually’ do as does the ability to play the corporate game when necessary in many sectors.

let’s compare someone

They are lucky to be born with lots of drive/energy and intelligence.

and being one that takes on the extra projects or helps when needed etc also helps

Completely. I’m amazed people don’t realise this.

I have a successful career due in large part to me being affable and easy to manage.

Now I manage people, I like working with people who are affable and easy to manage.

I’m competent at my job, I don’t screw up but I’m no rock star. Progression has all be down to other factors.

It perhaps shouldn’t be like that but it is, so why not “play the game”.

My ex has very poor emotional intelligence, which has probably contributed to him being very successful at his very high paid job. He deals with stuff that costs huge amounts of money and there’s no place for feelings. What makes him very sought after professionally makes him horrendous for personal relationships (hence ex). No privileges growing up, state education, mid uni. He is though a sociopath (I very highly suspect). I think a lot of very well paid people are.

this absolutely

I agree.

Half of what separates successful people from the rest is their refusal to give up.

You don’t have to be smarter or 'luckier' than everyone else, you need to be more disciplined and resilient.

It’s about having a strong work ethic, taking risks and not being afraid to fail.

And if you do fail, learn from it, grow, and approach it differently next time.

So how come so many managers (male and female) are unlikeable dicks?

Because the people who earn the really good money don’t tend to get sidetracked into management.