Why You Need to Become a 10X Employee (And Why That Leads to Working for Yourself)

For decades, employees were told that working hard and climbing the corporate ladder would lead to success.

• Put in the hours, develop skills, and advance step by step.
• Stay loyal to a company, and you’ll be rewarded.
• The best employees get promotions and higher salaries.

But today, this model is broken.

• AI and automation are replacing average employees.
• The superstar effect means only the best will thrive.
• Companies will never pay a 10X employee 10X the salary—so the only way to capture your full value is to work for yourself.

Studies show that the top 1% of employees deliver nearly 10X the value of an average worker—but they are rarely paid even twice as much. Harvard Business Review

“If you can provide 10X the value, you should be paid 10X—but no employer will ever give you that deal.”

The 10X Employee: Why Companies Want You (But Won’t Pay You What You’re Worth)

A 10X employee is someone who:

• Delivers 10X the results of an average worker.
• Can solve problems faster, better, and with greater impact.
• Provides massive value to a company in a short time.

Businesses desperately want 10X employees.

• They create more output with fewer people.
• They increase efficiency and profitability.
• They provide game-changing insights and execution.

But here’s the problem:

• No company will ever pay a 10X employee 10X the salary.
• Even if they recognize your value, they won’t put all their eggs in one basket.
• It’s too risky for them to fire nine people and depend entirely on you.

Example:

A company might acknowledge that one AI-powered marketer can replace an entire marketing team—but they won’t pay that marketer the full salary of the team they replaced. Instead, they’ll keep multiple employees and spread risk across them, rather than putting all financial reliance on one person.

• If companies won’t reward your full value, the only way to capture it is to work for yourself.

“Businesses diversify their workforce to reduce risk. You should do the same with your income.”

• If you rely on one employer, you’re putting yourself at the same risk they avoid.

Why Specialization Makes Employment Even Less Viable

Most traditional employees are generalists—which is why companies can justify hiring them full-time.

• They perform broad, recurring tasks that companies need daily.
• They fit into standardized job roles that don’t change much over time.
• They are interchangeable, which makes them easy to replace.

But the more specialized you are, the harder it is for one company to justify hiring you full-time.

• Specialized skills are needed only occasionally, not every day.
• Few companies have enough ongoing demand for ultra-niche expertise.
• Highly specialized employees don’t fit into traditional job roles.

Example:

A generalist marketer might be needed full-time at a company. A highly specialized AI-driven growth strategist is only needed for key projects.

• Companies don’t hire specialists full-time—they hire them as independent experts.

“The more specialized you are, the fewer competitors you have—and the more valuable you become.”

• Becoming a specialist forces you to work for yourself because companies only need your skill at critical moments.

The Superstar Effect: Why Specialization Leads to More Security, Not Less

Most people assume that generalists are safer because they fit into more roles.

But in reality:

• AI is replacing generalists at an alarming rate.
• The only people who will thrive are those who are the absolute best in their field.
• When you specialize, you compete against fewer people, making it easier to become a sought-after expert.

Example:

A mid-level software engineer competes with thousands of others worldwide. A specialist in AI-driven cybersecurity is one of only a handful of experts in their niche.

• The more you specialize, the more companies seek you out—leading to job security, higher rates, and more autonomy.

“It’s better to be the best in a small niche than mediocre in a big one.”

• Specialization forces independence—but it also makes you irreplaceable.

Why 10X Employees Should Work for Themselves

If you’re a high-output, specialized expert, you have two choices:

• Stay employed and accept less than you’re worth.
• Work for yourself and capture the full value of your expertise.

Here’s why working for yourself makes more sense:

1. Companies Will Pay for Results—Not Time

• Businesses don’t need all 10X of your output every day.
• They’d rather hire you for short, high-impact engagements.
• As an independent expert, you can charge based on value, not hours worked.

Example:

A company won’t pay a 10X cybersecurity expert 10X the salary. But they will pay top dollar for a specialized consultant who solves a critical problem in days instead of months.

• The less a company needs you full-time, the more they’ll pay for your expertise.

2. Diversification = More Security, Not Less

• Working for one company is risky—if they let you go, you lose everything.

• As a consultant, freelancer, or business owner, you spread your risk across multiple clients.

• If one client leaves, you still have income streams from others.

• The best security is owning your own income—not depending on an employer.

3. Your Earning Potential is Uncapped

• An employee’s salary is capped—no matter how valuable they are.
• As an independent expert, you can set your rates based on results, not time.
• Instead of one employer paying you a fixed salary, multiple clients can pay you premium rates.

Example:

An employee makes $150K per year and has no way to earn more without a promotion. A specialist charges $10K per engagement and takes on 20 clients per year—earning $200K with full control over their schedule.

• If you can create massive value, the best way to capture it is by working for yourself.

Conclusion – Becoming a 10X Employee is the First Step to Autonomy

Most people:

• Settle for being “good enough” employees, relying on a single paycheck.
• Stay in generalist roles that AI is rapidly replacing.
• Haven’t realized that specialization leads to independence, not job security.

But the truth?

• If you can create massive value, no single company will ever pay you what you’re worth.
• The only way to capture your full value is by working independently.
• Becoming a 10X employee naturally leads to entrepreneurship, consulting, or freelancing.

The real question is: Are you still trying to be a high performer in a low-paying system, or are you ready to capture your true value?