Assuming you are working for Apple Inc and part of your compensation takes the form of stock options.
Apple's current share price is $491. The exercise price of your stock option is $520. The value of the stock option is equal to the difference between Apple's stock price and the exercise price of $520, at the time that you exercise the option.
As an option holder yourself, would you prefer that Apple uses dividends or share repurchases to pay out cash to its shareholders?