[vsareto]

But why should any of us bother picking up new skills and adjusting mindsets if the author has to fight for a raise after saving the company $500k?

Secondarily, why should the author continue to fix things like this when they don't benefit, but others responsible are also not facing any consequences?

[ljm]

Your skills and mindset are going to help boost your career when it comes time to find a new position. It's not really for your employer's benefit, but your own, and the job is just a convenient way for you to learn some new things for yourself rather than doing it at home.

Loyalty to a company isn't rewarded today the way it used to be, so you just have to take that experience to a company with a better proposition at some point.

[kmac_]

Well, this is an internal driver. A person has it or not. (Just like technicall skills but in a different area.)

[vsareto]

If you do it for yourself, that's great, but you should withhold the benefits of that from the company if they aren't going to reward you for being better.

[kmac_]

I don't expect any reward, praising or eternal glory. I'm paid for doing the job. At some level, and to get to that level, doing a contract minimum is not enough.