Have to say, this reads like he's self-deriving micro-economics for the first time. My very simplistic way of looking at this (not having hired anyone myself) is as follows. If the company has a good strategy and is being run well, than Kent should probably not worry about value created by his new hire because it will dwarf any employee salary. Just make sure you hire the best one you can find and offer him/her a market-beating proposition (which comprises salary, culture, etc.)