I was flipping through the radio dial the other day and happened upon an all-sports station that was embroiled in a discussion of spoiled superstar athletes. On this particular afternoon, the commentary from callers and hosts was unanimous. The stars are spoiled, greedy, and money-hungry.

While I do not wholly disagree, I do not believe that most good players are only in the game for the money. I think pride is on the line. Whether they can hit a ninety mile an hour breaking ball, run for daylight through hulking linemen, or hit a slap shot into the net from the blue line, professional athletes are prideful creatures. The good ones rise to excellence in tight games because it is their skills honed over years of practice that enable them to achieve. Their true addiction may be recognition. Not money.

Psychologists tell us that money is a satisfier, not a motivator. I recall a scene from James B. Stewart’s fine study of insider trading, Den of Thieves. A young trader complains to Michael Milken that his annual bonus of $10 million is not enough. For most of us, $10 million is more than we will make in multiple lifetimes. And even with this young trader, the real reason he was dissatisfied was not money, but respect.

And that’s what I am getting at. Recognition. That’s why we do what we do.

Employees want that pat on the back, the "atta-boy" from the boss that says they are doing a good job.Yet too many supervisors simply fail to realize this. In fact, many managers are befuddled when their best workers quit. Their initial reaction is "I thought he was happy here." When asked if the manager ever demonstrated any recognition of the worker’s effort, the manager usually shrugs, "I didn’t think I had to."

Recognition is critical to self-esteem. Without it, we feel undervalued, even insignificant. With it, we feel as the young lover does standing on the bow of the Titanic--"King of the World."

Money is nice, sure. But once you establish a basis of monetary rewards, without the accompanying verbal and social affirmation, the employee will quickly become disgruntled and ask for more. Eventually, more will never be enough.

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think anyone should work for less money than she is worth, but I do agree that money alone cannot motivate. Motivation emerges from within. It manifests itself as the inner drive for achievement and yes, recognition.

"The deepest principle in human nature," writes author and sports entrepreneur, Mark McCormack, "is the craving to be appreciated."

So, next time you hear someone bashing superstar athletes, join in, but remind your fellow talkers that these athletes want more than big contracts, they want a "pat on the back," too.

And what’s more, you as a loyal fan are entitled to a little "pat on the back," too. After all, it’s your patronage that enables athletes to earn those mega, mega contracts.

So, give yourself a cheer. You deserve it!