My guest today David Buckmaster takes on income inequality. That means addressing the problems with our current compensation model, demystifying pay practices, and providing practical information employees can use when negotiating their salaries and discussing how we can close the gender and racial pay gap. Buckmaster argues that American workers are suffering economically and fewer are earning a living wage. The situation is only worsening. We do not have a common language to talk about pay, how it works at most companies, or a cohesive set of practical solutions for making pay more fair. Most blame the greed of America’s executive class, the ineptitude of government, or a general lack of personal motivation. Buckmaster believes the negative effects of income inequality are a problem that can be solved. We don’t have to choose between effective government policy and the free market, between the working class and the job creators, or between socialism and capitalism, David Buckmaster, the Director of Global Compensation for Nike, argues. We do not have to give up on fixing what people are paid. Ideas like Universal Basic Income will not be enough to avoid the severe cultural disruption coming our way. Buckmaster pulls back the curtain on how corporations make decisions about wages and provides practical solutions—as well as the corporate language—workers need to get the best results when talking about money with a boss. Is this a controversial conversation? Yes. Do I push back? Yes. Enjoy! Bio: David Buckmaster has led corporate compensation teams at companies like Nike, Starbucks, and Yum! Brands, and worked with business leaders on pay projects all over the world. Buckmaster was named to the global shortlist of the 2018 Financial Times and McKinsey & Company Bracken Bower Prize for emerging business writers.