The author is a startup founder. I assume he means that the person wanted to maximize the cash portion of his comp and reduce the stock portion.

The author meant this signaled a lack of character because... I dunno. It means the person wasn't as committed as the author? Of course, the author doesn't mention, even to himself, that the employee doesn't get the same upside from stock as a founder.

> The author meant this signaled a lack of character because... I dunno. It means the person wasn't as committed as the author?

It is simple. Salary has to be paid, now. The stocks is likely end up being nothing as most startups fail. So, the author is strongly motivated to pay in stock options and not pay in money.

But, admitting so would make him sound bad. Therefore, it is about your character. If you want to actually be paid, you have bad character.

That's weird, from my perspective, allowing your employer to give you less than what you are worth would denote a lack of character.