I joined a new company. about 40 people, semi-startup mode. I was working on larger company (about 220+ ) people, and after going through 6 managers in two y

I joined a new company. about 40 people, semi-startup mode. I was working on larger company (about 220+ ) people, and after going through 6 managers in two years, with the latest being the corporate/pointy hair type, I had enough. I stopped working hard, and I realized I needed to move on doing something more meaningful. So I joined a small company that is in the beginning of executing a new strategy (yes a gamble, but all startups are). I am working extra hard, full cylinders firing. I believe "performance = ability + motivation". I have both right now, and my work is really showing it. Here are the main motivators for me: 1. Green card and freedom -- The process takes long time, so I need to make sure the company is doing good and it will be around when the process is done, otherwise I will be in trouble. Meaning going the extra mile about everything I do. Meaning that everything I do, is to secure the company is doing well and will be around. For other people might be their mortgage they have to pay, or expecting kids, or other responsibilities. 2. Pay is good. Really good. --HR types love to say that pay is not a motivator, but I can say for sure that low pay is sure DE-Motivator. And pay is relative. When everybody else is getting a pay-cut,and I got a huge raise, it makes me motivated to work extra hard to make the money they are paying worth it. And honestly, a large pay, makes me feel more appreciated. 3. Visibility and work relevance -- I make a huge difference in this company. I am about 10% of the technical output of the company. I work in very important project, and my direct performance has a lot of say on the future of the company. When you are one of one hundred engineers, your direct performance matters less. You can slack off (work half the time), and it only affects .5% of the engineering output. When you are one of the 12 engines, there is a huge responsibility on your shoulders. 4. Management hears what I say. -- If you are good, you can truly excel and shine in small companies/startups. My manager and director are impressed by what I am doing, and they hear my feedback, and act on it accordingly. I am not just a cog, replaceable widget, but a important part of the company. Replaceable, (yes, everybody is), but at a great expense. They realize that I am totally vested on the company's success, so my comments/suggestions are selfless, not self-promoting, but how to get things done faster and better. 5. Stock options -- Yes, I have a bunch of them. But they are more of a bet. I am not planing to be rich on them (maybe the founders will), but it is nice to know that if the company will do really well, then I get a piece of the pie too.