The Ancient Art of Employee Recognition
“Whose system of rewards or punishments is clearer? This is how you can know who will win.”
A lot of people equate the modern methods of employee recognition and motivation with the recent scientific study of proper management practices. This is certainly not the case though as systems of rewards and punishments for subordinates have been around for thousands of years. The quote above is from the classical text ‘The Art of War,’ by the Chinese General Sun Tzu, which has been regarded equally by both famous generals and by business professionals for many centuries.
In the very legal-minded business world that we operate in it is very easy to focus too much on the punishment side of management and not enough on the rewards side. Negative employee performance or actions are monitored and recorded closely to make sure that any punishments given out are justified, legal and defendable. The General Sun Tzu, a legend in many minds for his wisdom in battle and his strategic thinking, knew that rewards were equally important to the moral and performance of men under his command.
Of course the modern business world is very different from the ancient battlefields of China, but some lessons are timeless. Incentive programs designed to reward employees for their performance can be critical in motivating and indeed, winning the battle of business. It is easier than ever to set up employee incentive programs from an online solutions provider that can make incentives fair and well proportioned. In the end, it is as one of Sun Tzu’s ancient commentators Du You noted… “If rewards are immoderate, there will be expenditure that does not result in gratitude.” Set up clear and fair incentive programs and watch your employees’ motivation soar.
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