SEPTEMBER 08

“There are two things employees want more than sex and money: recognition and praise.”

—Mary Kay Ash, founder, Mary Kay Cosmetics

GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT

Admit it. Reading this quote, there’s a tiny part of you still struggling to believe employees would really and truly choose recognition over money…or the other thing.

So did the Public Radio International talk-show host who interviewed us several years ago, shortly after the release of our first book, Managing With Carrots. Still skeptical, even after the wisdom we imparted during our interview, he decided to put recognition to the test. He tried a few of the ideas from the book on his office staff and then asked several people in his office (a very scientific survey) if they would want a job that paid loads and loads of money, or one where they felt appreciated and rewarded.

To his utter dismay, every single person in his office chose recognition over cash. He had to admit on air, “Managing with carrots. It works!”

But, then, we already knew that.