Page 65 - Build a Culture of Employee Engagement with the Principles

36 Carrots and Sticks Don’t Work

Question: Which employees are typically recognized by
such programs?
Answer: The top performers in the organization.

Discussion: So, the most motivated and productive
employees are the ones being acknowledged and reinforced
by the programs. How much more motivated and productive
can they be? This is like giving extra help to the student
who makes a 98 percent on an exam. There isn’t much room
for improvement.

Question: What kind of impact do these programs have on
the lowest-performing, least motivated employees?

Answer: Either none or negative.

Discussion: If only the top performers are going to get
recognized, well, they aren’t one of them. For the poor
performers, such programs are simply reminders of how
unappreciated they are and how disenfranchised they feel.
At the absolute best, such programs will have no impact;
more realistically, such employees will feel even less
motivated.

Question: What impact will the program have on the
majority of employees who fall between the very bottom and
the very top?

Answer: Negative.

Discussion: During the program, many of these employees
will increase their discretionary effort as they try for
the “carrot.” Psychologically, the employees who have
increased their efforts and have not been recognized will
become demoralized and adopt the attitude, “Why should