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Salary Isn’t Everything: The 3 Things Talented People Want
Quote from James A.Hart on July 16, 2025, 10:44 pmIf you’re building a business and hiring talent, there’s one mistake that can quietly destroy your growth:
Thinking money alone is enough to keep great people.It’s not.
In today’s job market—especially in fast-paced industries like marketing, startups, and tech—high performers are looking for more than just a paycheck. If all you’re offering is cash, you’re competing with every other company out there. And some of them will always be able to offer more.
So what makes people stay?
1. A Sense of Progress
Top performers need to feel like they’re moving forward—not just collecting a salary.
That could mean:
- Learning new skills
- Taking on bigger responsibilities
- Being part of ambitious projects
If the job starts to feel like a loop, they’ll start looking elsewhere—quietly.
Rule of thumb: If a smart employee hasn’t grown in 6 months, they’re already thinking about leaving.
2. A Sense of Belonging
Even the most independent people want to feel like they’re part of something.
Not just showing up for work, but contributing to a shared mission, in a place where their values align.This isn’t about ping-pong tables or Friday pizza. It’s about:
- Trust
- Open communication
- Knowing their work matters to the team
When people feel like they belong, they stay through the tough times. When they don’t, they leave the moment things get hard.
3. A Sense of Purpose
This one is subtle, but powerful:
Talented people want to work on things that matter—to them, and ideally, to the world.That doesn’t mean every company needs to save the planet. But it does mean the work should feel meaningful.
Ask yourself:
- Does your team know why their work exists?
- Can they see the impact they’re making?
If not, they’ll struggle to connect—and that disconnection leads to turnover.
The Takeaway
Salary gets people in the door.
Growth, belonging, and purpose are what make them stay.If you want to build a strong, lasting team, don’t just pay more—build more.
More clarity.
More mission.
More trust.That’s what keeps talent around.
If you’re building a business and hiring talent, there’s one mistake that can quietly destroy your growth:
Thinking money alone is enough to keep great people.
It’s not.
In today’s job market—especially in fast-paced industries like marketing, startups, and tech—high performers are looking for more than just a paycheck. If all you’re offering is cash, you’re competing with every other company out there. And some of them will always be able to offer more.
So what makes people stay?
1. A Sense of Progress
Top performers need to feel like they’re moving forward—not just collecting a salary.
That could mean:
- Learning new skills
- Taking on bigger responsibilities
- Being part of ambitious projects
If the job starts to feel like a loop, they’ll start looking elsewhere—quietly.
Rule of thumb: If a smart employee hasn’t grown in 6 months, they’re already thinking about leaving.
2. A Sense of Belonging
Even the most independent people want to feel like they’re part of something.
Not just showing up for work, but contributing to a shared mission, in a place where their values align.
This isn’t about ping-pong tables or Friday pizza. It’s about:
- Trust
- Open communication
- Knowing their work matters to the team
When people feel like they belong, they stay through the tough times. When they don’t, they leave the moment things get hard.
3. A Sense of Purpose
This one is subtle, but powerful:
Talented people want to work on things that matter—to them, and ideally, to the world.
That doesn’t mean every company needs to save the planet. But it does mean the work should feel meaningful.
Ask yourself:
- Does your team know why their work exists?
- Can they see the impact they’re making?
If not, they’ll struggle to connect—and that disconnection leads to turnover.
The Takeaway
Salary gets people in the door.
Growth, belonging, and purpose are what make them stay.
If you want to build a strong, lasting team, don’t just pay more—build more.
More clarity.
More mission.
More trust.
That’s what keeps talent around.
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