Negative side of stock options (Score 1)

Working for two start-up companies (now defunct). I had stock options - now worthless. What these options meant to the technical staff? A way (good and bad) for the management staff to motivate the already overworked technical person. That is not to say that options used for motivation were bad. Having stock options did help form a comradely in the technical organization. But now looking back - after all the long hours working hard to make the new company successful with the thought in the back of your mind that you would receive a reward in the end - is a very poor way to motivate yourself.