"Either more money, fewer hours for the same money, or some balance between the two."

You're probably right that this probably how most people are motivated. I think the OP is talking about high-performing people at technology companies, who aren't mostly motivated by short-term pay rate or leisure time. They tend to be the best people precisely because they have more drive to succeed in the long-term than collect the best near-term paycheck or maximize leisure time. The best people in these companies could make more money for less work right now-- if they wanted to.

I'm not actually saying that's always (or even usually) a good thing-- the most common deathbed regret is working too much.