Nailed it. Also, loyalty only to yourself. You are a mercenary, seeking the highest total comp you can, ready to move jobs on a whim.

If only the IRS felt the same way. Any income should be treated the same when it is realized as currency, none of this bogus taxation on unrealized gains when your equity doesn't have liquidity.

That way we could exercise our options as they vest, instead of holding out until an event to get some liquidity. It keeps people trapped.

I see that as a bleak worldview. Yes, it's important to acknowledge that the company you work for does not have your best interests in heart. I don't think seeking the highest comp possible, at the expense of other factors, is generally a good strategy though.

There is more to the quality of a job and your life than having the highest total comp possible.

Having a lasting and enjoyable connection with your teammates is valuable too; you spend hours a day interacting with them, and teams of people you can really get along with are few and far between.

If jumping ship every 6 months maximizes your comp, but you never get the chance to create professional relationships as you jump from ship to ship, I'd say that's going to usually be a bad tradeoff.

There are other axis as well, such as a team with a reasonable manager who lets you spend time with your family, or a company that works in an area that aligns particularly well with your interests.