If you want him to 'really care' give him some equity or stock options. If he is as talented as you say he is then he can probably make more money elsewhere.

If you want him to 'really care' give him some equity or stock options. If he is as talented as you say he is then he can probably make more money elsewhere. If, however, he has equity then he actually has something to gain by working hard instead of simply not losing his job.