I don't know if I would describe the solution as just skin in the game. I don't dispute that it might lead to results (though some studies might argue otherwis

I don't know if I would describe the solution as just skin in the game. I don't dispute that it might lead to results (though some studies might argue otherwise https://novarete.com/motivate-employees-monetary-incentives-produce-poor-performance/ https://novarete.com/motivate-employees-monetary-incentives-...). At least anecdotally, the companies I worked that most closely tied comp to bonuses or had the most stock, were not the ones that had the hardest-working individuals. I tend to believe that it's more the culture of the company, and also how closely your results tie to direct impact to the company. So, small companies, here often being startups, end up being ones where you see such impact, and also happen to be ones where you get stock and ownership.