What is the Most Important Rule In People Management?

Important: GDPR Email Preferences

As you may already know, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will be coming into effect on 25th May 2018. We take your privacy seriously and we are working hard to ensure we comply with the new data protection laws. You can find out more about how we're doing this in our privacy policy on our website.

We want to make sure you continue to receive the latest newsletters, blogs, special offers and more.

As someone who has opted-in to receive our emails in the past, we’d like to give you this opportunity to confirm what you wish to receive:

Just so you know, if you don’t let us know what kinds of emails you want to receive from us, we’ll stop emailing you on the 24th May 2018 - you'll be missing out!

You are of course free to change your mind at any time – just follow the link at the bottom of any of our emails.

Advert

What is the Most Important Rule in People Management?

The single most important rule of management is this:

"Whatever gets rewarded, gets done."

That single sentence should act as the guiding light which illuminates your thinking about managing and motivating people.

"Whatever gets rewarded, gets done" means, you must become extremely conscious of what behaviours you are rewarding.

The sad truth is that, many bad behaviours are often inadvertently rewarded, (think of a mother giving a misbehaving child a bar of chocolate, in order to pacify him).

The same kind of thing happens in your organisation.

Whatever behaviour gets rewarded, gets repeated.

So, don't fall into the trap of accidentally rewarding bad behaviours.

You should note that the opposite statement is also true: "Whatever behaviours do NOT get rewarded, will soon stop."

If a colleague exerts extra effort, over an extended time, obtaining good results for the business, and that extra effort goes unnoticed and unrewarded, you can be sure that they will be less likely to repeat such efforts.

You should be sure that you and your organisation does not accidentally reward the following behaviours.

• Yes-man mentality
• Indecision (the refusal to make a decision for fear of making a wrong one)
• Chronic risk avoidance

These three behaviours are often rewarded, and consequently the organisation as a whole becomes slow to change and adapt, and thus is at risk of being selected for extinction.

It is vital that you and your organisation recognise and reward the following behaviours:

• Constructive criticism of the current set up
• Creative thinking
• Intelligent risk taking

These three behaviours are often NOT rewarded, and often they are even discouraged.

All successful organisations thrive because they encourage these types of behaviours.

Whenever you see a person giving constructive criticism, or creative thinking, or taking intelligent risks, you should single-out that person for praise, appreciation and reward.

The reward does not have to be money, although it could be.

Rewards can come in the form of personal recognition, appreciation, thanks, and career advancement.

You cannot afford to NOT reward risk taking, creativity and constructive criticism.

You cannot afford to reward Yes-man mentality, indecision and chronic risk avoidance.

Remember the following sentences and ponder their important implications:

• Behaviours I reward, will be repeated.
• Behaviours I fail to reward, will stop.

Blogs by Email

Do you want to receive an email whenever we post a new blog? The blogs contain article 5-10 minutes long - ideal for reading during your coffee break!

Your Comments

Further Reading in Leadership and Management

• Women in Leadership
  Women have made great strides in their search for equality, but there is still much to be done. In the world of work, women need to be empowered to feel stronger, more confident and to never hold back.
  Read Article >
• The Golden Rule of Effective Leadership and Management
  The Golden Rule of Leadership and Management Is there one rule, one thing that makes the biggest difference, to your abilities as a leader and manager: Is there a Golden rule of effective leadership and management? Yes, there is. It is this: "Act always in accordance with the principles of reason...
  Read Article >
• Leadership training: Self-reliance
  A leader does not feel the need to seek the approval of others. A leader makes his own motivation and validation. Leaders have an 'internal locus of control'. Leaders are self-reliant.
  Read Article >
• What does it take to become a good leader?
  All organisations need good leaders. To be a good leader you need to develop the seven key qualities of good leadership.
  Read Article >
• What Qualities do Leaders Need?
  A clear vision, superb communication skills and decisiveness are just some of the qualities a leader needs. Do you have the personal attributes required to be a leader? Take our quiz to find out.
  Read Article >