You’ve heard the carrot on a stick metaphor, right?
Tie a carrot to the end of a stick and hang it in front of a rabbit. The innocent bunny thinks the carrot is floating in one place, but secretly, whoever holds the stick moves the carrot a little further away any time the rabbit inches closer.
The idea is people work harder when you incentivize them with the one thing they want most.
It’s a fine metaphor, but really, how many people can relate to wanting a carrot so much that they chase after it for an infinite amount of time?
We’re going to guess zero people who read this blog. Do you know what’s a better example? Offering people delicious, indulgent fudge brownies when they do something spectacular at work.