There are a lot of people out there who give bosses a bad rap. They love to get a switch from a tree to beat their employees. Really sadistic bosses like to have the employee go get the switch that will be used for the beating.
Bad bosses use a switch. Good bosses use a carrot.Click To TweetA switch doesn’t motivate. A switch doesn’t push people forward. A switch seldom helps people learn a lesson and or grow from their errors. Using a switch to correct behavior, performance or errors is the wrong way to lead.
Use the carrot, it does not sting or leave scars that will last. When you use the carrot rather than the switch you reinforce positive behavior. You remove defensiveness and insecurities while instilling confidence and healthy risk-taking.
Using the carrot has a ripple effect. When other people see there are rewards for doing the right thing they will follow suit. They will strive to be the best they can be so they can harvest a carrot too. The most important thing to remember about using the carrot is that you have to give them the carrot, you cannot dangle it in front of them.
The next time you need to correct an employee, don’t reach up to grab a switch from the tree, bend down and pull up a carrot.
Last updated on March 7th, 2018 at 01:04 pm
