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 international speaker, trainer, coach, mentor and author on Career Management and Employee Retention issues. Through her company, Ignite Global, Kim helps organizations build healthy work environments and increase employee engagement and productivity in our digitally connected, globally oriented world.
Kim Seeling Smith
Kim Seeling Smith is an international speaker, trainer, coach, mentor and author on Career Management and Employee Retention issues. Through her company, Ignite Global, Kim helps organizations build healthy work environments and increase employee engagement and productivity in our digitally connected, globally oriented world.