August 13, 2025 at 12:00 am
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Carrots and Sticks
August 13, 2025 at 6:41 am
Firstly, what does a carrot look like to you? A money-oriented person may gain motivation from the promise of a bonus. A people-oriented person may gain motivation from the enthusiastic use of the things they have built. Someone tech-oriented may be motivated by the chance to use the latest/coolest tech.
Sticks are not universal either, and sometimes the stick is something your values inflict on you. What I want from a stick is not punishment, it's a wetstone to hone my edge. I need that wetstone, but my biggest motivator is seeing the value in what I do and its positive impact.
August 13, 2025 at 9:55 am
The only carrot on my desk as a lowly manager type, with no budget, is the application of sincere praise. If devs need more than that, tough. I mean everyone wants more money and you have to go through the hoops to get that in the best order possible, but day to day it's appreciation of qualities people bring to resolve problems. Mostly bloody minded tenacity to be fair - I can praise that in 20 different ways...
Genuinely, I won't use sticks. The "soft" sticks as discussed above do get handed down - but if you can't get your team interested in actually doing the work I guess you've got deep problems.
August 13, 2025 at 5:54 pm
Firstly, what does a carrot look like to you? A money-oriented person may gain motivation from the promise of a bonus. A people-oriented person may gain motivation from the enthusiastic use of the things they have built. Someone tech-oriented may be motivated by the chance to use the latest/coolest tech.
Sticks are not universal either, and sometimes the stick is something your values inflict on you. What I want from a stick is not punishment, it's a wetstone to hone my edge. I need that wetstone, but my biggest motivator is seeing the value in what I do and its positive impact.
Completely agree. There isn't necessarily a single carrot/stick for everyone. As a manager, I've learned I have to treat everyone different under the same rules for this reason. I have to adjust what things might push/inspire/motivate.
August 13, 2025 at 5:56 pm
The only carrot on my desk as a lowly manager type, with no budget, is the application of sincere praise.
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Praise and celebration can be big carrots. Assigning better work or more interesting work can also be there. Maybe adjusting holiday/on call? There are different carrots (though those can be sticks as well).
I think sticks should be rarely used, but as I've learned in coaching and managing, there are always people, or times, when carrots aren't enough.
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