Punishment

A dealer doesn't meet its quota
An employee continually fails to perform her job
A division loses millions of dollars for its corporation

The above scenarios are frustrating, all-too-common and seem to point to one response: punishment. Something has to happen, someone needs to feel the pain, there must be consequences... Right?

Usually what happens is: nothing. Then after numerous repetitions of the above, something does happen, the dam breaks and there are firings, quittings, reductions, penalties, etc.

The real problem is that punishment should be the least common response because there are responses that are far more effective. They include: better communication, improving relationships and training. If those happened as a rule, there would seldom be a need for punishment.

Barry LaBov
LaBov & Beyond
www.labov.com