Welcome once again to LiftFM. Today, I present a tale of two software engineers. Picture this: two individuals, modeled on real people I've encountered, embark on their journey in the same company. They both have an identical starting point - from their annual compensation of $200,000 to their years of experience, technical prowess, and even their educational backgrounds. It's almost uncanny how their profiles mirror each other.

However, fast forward three years, and their paths diverge significantly. One engineer sees a raise, now earning $250,000 annually. The other? They've doubled their income, boasting a salary of $500,000.

Given their almost identical beginnings, what factors contributed to this stark disparity? What decisions, actions, or circumstances propelled one ahead while the other saw moderate growth? Let's dive deep and unravel this enigma.