Pay people what they are worth, and they’ll give their best. It’s a simple idea, but in my experience, it’s the absolute foundation of building a powerhouse team. Get this right, and everything else gets easier.
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Meaning
At its core, this is about creating a direct, fair-value exchange between effort and reward. It’s the belief that when you remove the distraction and resentment of being underpaid, you unlock a person’s natural drive to excel.
Explanation
Look, I’ve seen this play out so many times. This quote isn’t just about salary, not really. It’s about perceived fairness. When someone feels truly valued—when they know their compensation reflects their skills, their impact, and the market rate—a psychological shift happens. They stop thinking of it as just a job and start thinking of it as their project, their team. You’re not just paying for their time; you’re investing in their morale, their loyalty, and their discretionary effort. And that’s the stuff you can’t put a price tag on. It’s the difference between someone who leaves at 5:01 and someone who stays late to solve a problem because they’re bought in.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3669) |
| Category | Wealth (107) |
| Topics | motivation (113), performance (36) |
| Literary Style | direct (414) |
| Emotion / Mood | realistic (354) |
| Overall Quote Score | 78 (178) |
Origin & Factcheck
This one comes straight from Brian Tracy’s 2001 book, Hire and Keep the Best People. You’ll sometimes see similar sentiments floating around attributed to other gurus, but this specific phrasing is Tracy’s. He was really hammering home a principle for managers and entrepreneurs in a competitive talent market.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Brian Tracy (375) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | Hire and Keep the Best People (56) |
| Origin Timeperiod | Contemporary (1615) |
| Original Language | English (3669) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Brian Tracy, a prolific author gained global reputation because of his best seller book list such as Eat That Frog!, Goals!, and The Psychology of Selling, and created influential audio programs like The Psychology of Achievement. He is sought after guru for personal development and business performance. Brian Tracy International, coaches millions of professionals and corporates on sales, goal setting, leadership, and productivity.
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Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Pay people what they are worth, and they will always give their best |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2001; ISBN: 978-1576751275; Last edition: 2001, Berrett-Koehler Publishers; Number of pages: 112. |
| Where is it? | Chapter: Fair Compensation; Approximate page from 2001 edition |