[intellectronica]

Actually the author was very careful to qualify their advice as applying to work at high growth companies, rather than corporations or very early state startups, where this approach is much less likely to be effective.

Also, the example you describe, which I'm sure has left a strong impression on you, doesn't contradict the advice on offer. Again, the author explains what kind of dirty work they are referring to - problems that have enough reputation to make it obvious to everyone that solving them is extremely valuable.