I was on the Today Show last Saturday talking about exactly that – and the numbers might surprise you.
According to the The Australian Financial Review‘s Best Places to Work awards in 2026 Purpose remains one of the top 3 factors for best places to work.
And both LinkedIn and Gartner‘s research show that over 50% of employees won’t accept a job offer if the company’s values don’t align with theirs.
And after 5,000 exit interviews over 15 years, I can tell you: pay and perks are a 20th-century retention strategy.
People aren’t just chasing a paycheck. They want purpose, a manager they trust, and skills that keep them relevant in the age of AI.
But “values-aligned” can also be a trap if the company’s values are just a poster on the wall.
Watch the full segment to find out how to pressure-test a workplace before you make the leap.
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Should you take a pay cut to work for a company with a better purpose or more aligned values?
Kim Seeling Smith
Kim Seeling Smith is an award-winning Australian keynote speaker, business futurist and AI strategist focused on the human side of AI adoption. A former KPMG-trained CPA, she delivers live, bespoke AI demonstrations on stage. Her insights into the Future of Work draw on research from 5,000+ exit interviews. Australia-based, speaks globally.
Kim Seeling Smith
Kim Seeling Smith is an award-winning Australian keynote speaker, business futurist and AI strategist focused on the human side of AI adoption. A former KPMG-trained CPA, she delivers live, bespoke AI demonstrations on stage. Her insights into the Future of Work draw on research from 5,000+ exit interviews. Australia-based, speaks globally.