"Quote of the day: Everyone has a price, the most important thing is to find out what it is."—Pablo Escobar

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‎We usually cringe a bit when we hear this quote. It sounds like something straight out of a mobster movie, or in this case, from Pablo Escobar himself. At first glance, it feels cold, cynical, and dirty, like everyone is secretly corrupt and waiting to be bought out for a suitcase full of cash. But if you strip away the criminal context and look at human nature through a broader lens, there is actually a fascinating psychology lesson hiding in there.

‎Let us be clear right off the bat, having a "price" does not necessarily mean cash in an envelope. Money is just the easiest currency to measure. In the real world, a person's true "price" is simply whatever currency speaks directly to their deepest values, needs, or desires.

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‎Think about how people operate day to day. One person might completely turn down a massive corporate salary boost because they value flexibility and time with their kids. Cash will not buy them, but offer them remote work and a four-day workweek, and suddenly you have their attention. Their price was time, not money.

‎Another person might pass up a quiet, comfortable role to take a grueling, high-stress position simply because it comes with a prestigious title. For them, the currency that moves the needle is recognition and status.

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‎There was a viral rumor during the 2026 FIfa world Cup claiming that Kanye West turned down a $20 million offer from FIFA for a 5 minute half time performance during the World Cup claiming that he was "too big" to share a stage with other artists like Shakira or BTS that he was billed to perform along sides with.

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‎ Although the claim was not entirely verified by any official sources and no credible news outlets confirmed the story, it hasn't also been debunked by FIFA.

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‎However, whether true or not, one thing sticks out, and that is Kanye's purported decision to turn down such a ridiculously huge amount of money choosing prestige, reputation or pride(or ego) over cash money.

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‎When you start viewing the world this way, finding someone's "price" is not about bribing them or exploiting their weaknesses. It is actually about empathy and understanding. It is about figuring out what truly drives a person so you can build a genuine connection with them.

‎If you are a manager trying to motivate a burnt-out team, throwing a generic gift card at them might fail miserably. 

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But if you take the time to figure out that one employee wants public praise, another wants autonomous projects, and a third just wants a late start on Mondays, you have figured out what actually moves each individual. You are meeting them where their real priorities lie.

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‎The same thing applies in our personal relationships. We often try to love or persuade people using our own preferred currency instead of theirs. You might buy your partner expensive gifts to show love, while all they actually want from you is undivided attention and a distraction-free conversation. Once you realize their "price" is quality time, the dynamic completely changes for the better.

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‎So, while Pablo Escobar used this logic to figure out how to compromise people, you can flip the script entirely. Use it as a reminder that nobody is built the exact same way. Everyone values something deeply, whether it is security, freedom, recognition, peace of mind, or love.

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‎The real secret to better communication, leadership, and friendships is not forcing your own system on others. It is taking the time to listen, observe, and discover what truly matters to the person standing right in front of you.

‎What do you think is your own non-monetary "price" in life right now?

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