My eyes were opened to the "real world" when I worked with a project manager who made the company a lot of money and was paid a lot. He didn't deliver any software. It was purely about finding out all the ways the customer had tripped on the contract.
Or worse. 'Recognition'. A piece of paper on which they write your name, call it a certificate and give it to you when the team claps for you. Fast forward 5 years, most of your colleagues from back, who moved on, don't even remember your name.
There is no dearth of people who go great extents working insane hours for things like 'appreciation emails' and 'recognition certificates'.