#ceo-compensation

#ceo-compensation

Bhusri's return to the top job at the human resources software company reflects the belief that only a founder with billions on the line and a personal legacy at stake has the unique vision and authority to steer the ship through difficult waters. And with majority voting control plus operational authority as CEO, Bhusri will have more power to make any difficult changes he sees necessary.

The average CEO makes over 280 times what their company's line worker earns. This is more than 10 times the ratio observed in the 1970s. Looking just at the salaries and bonuses of Fortune 500 CEOs, financial executives, top university presidents, and even some directors of the larger non-profit organizations, you would think that these leaders are performing at high levels-at least levels high enough to justify their huge compensation. Unfortunately, that's not often the case.

might not necessarily help the defense space,

In his annual shareholder letter-the last one he will pen as CEO before Berkshire vice chair Greg Abel takes over on Jan. 1-Buffett suggested chief executives are driven by greed and selfishness to drive up their own pay after seeing competitors ratchet up their own remunerations. "What often bothers very wealthy CEOs-they are human, after all-is that other CEOs are getting even richer," he said. "Envy and greed walk hand in hand. And what consultant ever recommended a serious cut in CEO compensation or board payments?"

Zaslav's new pay package will reduce his target bonus significantly while providing opportunities for substantial earnings through stock options, depending on performance.