Carrot or Stick?
I work with a range of team managers and business leaders, helping them navigate personal and professional challenges at work and at home.
One theme that comes up a lot is knowing how to handle UNDERPERFORMANCE - something that very few leaders enjoy doing.
Every situation is different, but often the main dilemma is whether to use the 'Carrot' approach (encouraging, nurturing, incentivising, rewarding) or 'Stick' (presenting the threat of punishment, and following through).
As a leader, you will already know that some situations clearly call for Carrot, and some for Stick. But what about the AMBIGUOUS ones, when the solution is less clear?
For example:
➡️ The long-serving team member who has been a consistent performer for 5+ years, but their performance has started to drop and it isn't obvious why.
➡️ A trainee who joined 6 months ago and is doing some things well but has picked up some bad habits.
➡️ A high performer who bills well, but isn't using the CRM the way you want them to.
➡️ Someone who demonstrates great potential and has flashes of brilliance, but doesn't sustain their performance. How many times can they go on a PIP?
You might handle the situation differently depending on the individual. One person's personality style may mean they need sharp, clear direction; whereas another person may respond better to a softer, more patient approach. So, where do YOU draw the line? How do YOU make your judgements - and are there times when your approach has backfired?
As a counsellor who has also run a recruitment business, I love helping people figure out the answers to these questions. Everyone is different, and I don't have a specific framework or model that I tell people to use. Instead, my approach is to listen, and to provide my clients with a safe, confidential space where they can talk through their leadership dilemmas and gain greater insight into WHY they may think, feel and act in a certain way.
They can then make more purposeful, confident decisions.
If you can relate to any of this, and would value some private, impartial support, away from colleagues, friends and family, please get in touch for a FREE initial chat.
