Know Your Worth!

Remember the legendary story of the engineer who charged $10,000—just $1 for turning a screw, and $9,999 for knowing which screw to turn?

That wasn’t just a clever fable. It was real. And the mind behind it was none other than Charles Proteus Steinmetz (1865–1923)—a genius whose mastery of electrical engineering changed the course of industry.

Once, Henry Ford himself sought out Steinmetz when a massive generator at the River Rouge plant failed—and none of Ford’s engineers could fix it. The factory stood still. The pressure was immense. And so, the “Little Giant,” as Steinmetz was affectionately called, was called in.

He arrived with a simple request: a notebook, a pen, and a cot. For two full days and nights, he worked alone—listening, calculating, thinking. He didn’t rush. He didn’t guess. He understood. Then, with precise intent, he asked for a ladder, a tape measure, and a piece of chalk.

Despite his physical challenges, he climbed to the top of the massive generator, measured carefully, and made a single chalk mark. That mark indicated the exact spot the engineers needed to open, adjust, and remove 16 coils of wire.

They did as instructed—and the generator roared back to life.

Ford was impressed—but still asked for an itemized bill. What he received was timeless:

• Making a chalk mark: $1

• Knowing where to make it: $9,999
  Total: $10,000

Without a word, Ford paid in full.

This story isn’t just about a brilliant fix. It’s a reminder that true value lies not in the action—but in the knowledge, skill, and experience behind it.

So remember: what you know, what you've learned, what you've mastered—it matters.

Never underestimate the worth of your wisdom.