When it comes to employee engagement and recognition strategies, there is often debate about what drives high performance: money or recognition.

Which one do you think is most important?

Instead of sharing my opinion or insights please allow me to ask you a couple more questions.

How much money do you think the players, coaches and staff of the recently defeated NFL teams who lost in the wild card round would give to win the Super Bowl this year?

How much of their salaries do you think the head coach, staff and school administration at Notre Dame would donate to be national champions today?

Here is even a wilder question; If Nick Saban from the Alabama Crimson Tide could be guaranteed a third consecutive national championship, do you think he would work for free next year?

Do you think people will give extra effort to accomplish something that will stand over time and be recognized by their peers as a superior accomplishment?

Or, do you think people merely show up for the wages we pay them and the benefits we provide them?

I think the way you answer these questions will greatly influence the way your work team shows up “on the field of play” every day.

P. S.

I think the bottom line to getting high performance starts with meaningful goals, but just like sports, requires day to day coaching and extra doses of feedback and recognition. What do you think?