What motivates executives to seek huge compensation packages? Consider this exchange between a New York Times reporter and Dennis Kozlowski, former CEO of Tyco International.

Reporter: It’s often said that at a certain level it no longer matters how much any of you make, that you would be doing just as good a job for

$100 million less, or $20 million less.

Kozlowski: Yeah, all my meals are paid for, as long as I am around. So, I’m not working for that any longer. But it does make a difference in the charities I ultimately leave monies behind to, and it’s a way of keeping score.