Are people at work more motivated by praise or money?

I'd say most people are initially motivated by money, especially in competitive cities like Shanghai where living costs are high. The main reason is that financial security comes first - you can't focus on recognition if you're worried about rent or bills. For example, in my UI design team, junior colleagues often push for overtime because the extra pay helps them afford shared apartments. That said, once basic needs are covered, praise becomes more meaningful - like when my manager noticed my creative solution for a banking app interface, that genuine appreciation kept me motivated for weeks. Money gets you in the door, but recognition makes you stay.