Advocating for raises through diligent, hard work. This approach may seem traditional, but traditional methods often prove enduringly effective.
A representative figure is the early-career Dula La from the novel Dula La's Promotion Diary. She was proactive and hardworking, willing to take on extra responsibilities without complaint. Though exploited without realizing it, she ultimately gained more than she lost in the long run, receiving ample rewards later on.
2. The Modern School
Skill alone won't secure a raise—it must be skillfully negotiated. Raises don't fall from the sky; equal and tactful communication with your boss is key. While traditional views emphasize obedience, modern perspectives champion equality, hence the "modern" label.Its emphasis on pragmatism, equality, and subtle negotiation techniques makes it popular among younger generations.
Represented by many "post-80s" or "post-90s" individuals, this approach prioritizes self-worth, tangible benefits, and immediate results. They boldly present multiple demands to bosses with a confident, contemporary flair.
3. Future-Oriented Approach
Don't just plow ahead blindly—dare to envision the future.Early selection of high-performing companies in sunrise industries means that even if one's personal income is merely average within their organization, it still significantly exceeds that of individuals in other industries or companies. This school approaches development from a long-term perspective, grounded in the present while oriented toward the future, hence the name "Futurists."
Representatives are numerous, found in nearly every generation. They are often the more calculating type, and their career advancement tends to be smooth sailing.
4. The Powerhouse School
Performance serves as leverage for raises, while capability is the wellspring of pay increases. To secure a raise, one must comprehensively equip oneself from the inside out. This school emphasizes strength, capability, and performance, hence its name: the Powerhouse School. Powerhouse individuals possess drive, charisma, and deliver outstanding work. However, they often have distinct personalities, which can create certain "hidden risks" in salary negotiations and promotions. They are also frequently targeted by underhanded tactics.
If they encounter patrons at each stage, they are often treated as a "flag" (or "working dog," contrasting with "achiever"—meaning a capable hunting dog ultimately exploited). If luck fails them, they typically lead a frustrating existence.
5. The "Ambition" Faction
High office brings generous rewards, and promotion is the surest path to a raise. Rather than fixating on petty gains, they pursue advancement through "indirect means." Political ambition isn't inherently bad—serving as an official means benefiting the people. The higher the position, the greater the potential impact, hence the quotation marks around "ambition" here.
Because the "Ambition" faction fixates on advancement, sacrificing everything else, they often appear unfriendly, cutting off bridges after crossing them. If not careful, they risk becoming isolated. Yet, cloaked in the aura of power, they maintain a surface appearance of success.
6. The "Flattery" Faction
They curry favor with their bosses through early mornings, late nights, tireless dedication, and selfless devotion to secure raises.
Though "flattery" may sound harsh here, these tactics are essentially the same as "sweet talk"—both pander to desires, differing only in presentation.
Even U.S. Presidents Engage in Flattery
Take the U.S. President as an example: to win elections, he flatters voters ("tough on foreign policy" is another form of flattery, albeit more subtle); to secure legislative authority, he flatters Congress; to obtain oil supplies, he flatters OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries).
That a figure of such stature as the U.S. president must engage in flattery everywhere might seem spineless. Yet, when you think about it, who among us has never flattered someone in our lifetime?
Thus, "flattery" here is merely a neutral term—neither praise nor condemnation.
7. The Underhanded Tactics Group
They achieve pay raises through devious and malicious maneuvers. Here, "devious and malicious" is defined as "harming others for personal gain." Relatively speaking, "belittling others to elevate oneself" is considered the most "openly justified" tactic among them.
8. Open Strategy Group
Achieves pay raises through a series of overt, legitimate strategies. Here, "open strategy" is defined as "benefiting both others and oneself, with selfless dedication." While calling for "selfless dedication" may seem noble, it often amounts to an organization indirectly depriving individuals of their rights or interests. Thus, this book does not advocate for it, though it holds deep respect for those who genuinely practice selfless dedication.
9. The Carefree School
Members of this school predominantly work in state-owned enterprises—since salary increases are weakly correlated with performance, and switching jobs means giving up current positions and benefits, they seek alternative ways to "increase their pay" or find joy.Of course, members of the Carefree School also exist within the administrative departments of large foreign-funded or private enterprises. Otherwise, there would be no need for such high-profile campaigns against bureaucracy.
Clever Ways to Indirectly Increase Your Income
While a pay raise is certainly welcome, since it's not something you can decide for yourself, there's no need to be disheartened when one isn't forthcoming. Either accept your situation with equanimity or choose other avenues to indirectly increase your income.
Among these "methods," some are straightforward, like skillful financial management; others are neutral, such as finding joy through mindset adjustments or expanding social circles; while others are akin to drinking poison to quench thirst, like selling off company assets to boost income. Such individuals are truly unwise.