What behaviors are you rewarding?

It was 2 weeks into the project and the team environment was still hostile. 

Not just "challenging". Hostile. I was running out of ideas.

I had always prided myself on my ability to build cohesive, productive teams and a spotlight had just been shone on how limited my tool belt was. When you contract to a public sector department -  you can't take the team out for lunch or drinks because they don't want to risk the perception that there was any "bribery" involved in the contractual process.

The side-effect is that I had to start learning to use other tools.

Candy started appearing at work. The small things that are normally overlooked got rewarded and praised. A gong appeared so that the BA's could hit it when a story was approved and accepted. This was usually proceeded by applause and cheers from the open floor. If you're reading this with cynicism, I can empathize. False praise doesn't motivate anyone...

It's funny how far sincerity and genuine good intent will take you though.

A lot of management theory relates to rewarding performance or results. In the last year or so, I've taken to rewarding the behaviors that lead to those achievements; rather than waiting for the goals to be achieved and then rewarding that.

Why?

Imagine you set a New Years goal of running a marathon. Are you more likely to give up at the beginning when you have just started training or at the end? When will you need the motivation and support from friends and family? 

Reward the right behaviors during the tough times and the results tend to follow. Besides, then you get to go to the pub again when the project releases :)

This video is highly recommended: