Never pay a salesperson a livable wage…
At an event last week, I heard a sales trainer say something while giving a presentation to small business owners that had me giving the side-eye to no one in particular:
"Never pay a salesperson a livable wage."
She went on to reiterate this at least three times.
WHYYYYY are we still treating people this way?
People can’t thrive—or perform or produce at all—if their basic needs aren’t met first. If we want people to excel at work, we need to support them at the foundational levels. This means ensuring they have a livable wage, stability, and security.
This isn’t just about doing the right thing—it’s rooted in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Without a foundation of physiology and safety, how can we expect anyone to focus on purpose, creativity, or peak performance?
Performance and productivity don’t come from survival mode. They come from a place of contentment and thriving—when people are healthy, secure, and empowered by meaningful, mission-driven work.
So, if you want your team to perform, here’s the formula:
First, take care of their basic needs. Make sure they have the stability and security they deserve as human beings.
Then, support them even further with a company that fosters inclusion, autonomy, psychological safety, and a shared meaningful mission.
It’s not just about paying a fair wage; it’s about creating a culture where people feel valued, safe, and able to thrive—not just survive. The four pillars of Playful Work Design will create a culture that has leaders and people who can live their best life and do their best work (IN THAT ORDER).
There’s ample research to back this up—from Harvard Business Review to Deloitte and more. It is clear: when people feel safe and supported, they can truly thrive. And that’s the key to unlocking performance and productivity.
So here’s the takeaway: If you want high-performing teams, we need to start building workplaces that prioritize people first. When employees feel secure, they’re not just surviving—they’re thriving, and that’s when the magic happens.
It’s time to change the conversation from “what can we get out of our people?” to “how can we support our people so they can give their best?”
How are you ensuring your team feels valued and supported? Let’s connect and talk about how the four pillars of Playful Work Design can help you build a culture where everyone thrives.