Overpaying them makes them feel special. And honestly, it's worth it.
Steve Jobs said:
A-players hire A-players.
B-players hire C-players.
He was right. But here's what he didn't say:
If you underpay your A-players, they leave.
Then your B-players take over.
Then your B-players hire C-players.
One A-player is 10x better than a good B-player.
And 100x better than a C.
Pay accordingly.
The best people aren't expensive. Losing them is.
Inspire them and keep them.