I’ve been thinking a lot about how to manage change. Not just in organizations, but in life. I keep hearing stories of people using “a stick” more than “a carrot”. For those who aren’t familiar with this concept, it’s basically that you can either threaten others with a stick or tempt them with a carrot to get them on your side. To bring this idea to life, think about it in the context of raising a teenager. If you’re constantly looming over them in high school to get good grades, they may focus on it then to avoid punishment. But, when they’ve gone off to university and you’re no longer there to intimidate, they’ll lose that fear and with it the motivation to progress and succeed.
“The Stick” approach may work in the short term, but will have detrimental impacts in the long term. And, especially in these trying times, I’ve heard of companies that are investing in people who employ these methodologies out of desperation. Considering the pressures everyone is under, this approach will most certainly backfire.
On the other hand, “the carrot” never runs out. People will be grateful & more willing to work together to succeed. But what really makes this approach work is being able to clearly articulate WHY working together benefits everyone. This might be the reason why most people eventually switch back to “the stick” approach. It’s not always easy to articulate why change is needed but that doesn’t mean it’s not worthwhile.
Clearly articulating your idea is key.
But, while “the carrot” approach might sound like the harder option, it is by far the better option in the long term. Especially now, people understand the risks associated by not working together for the long term. You as a leader are in a uniquely advantageous position right now to use “the carrot” methodology. You just need to clarify your position & trust that everyone else wants the same success that you do. Going back to our teenager, once you’ve explained clearly how getting an education will be a stepping stone towards professional success (the carrot) , they’ll be more inclined to continue learning long after the stick is a distant memory.
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