Eating as Behavior Encouragement

Have a team member who is absent more than you’d like? Buy lunch for everyone on the day they don’t show up, and only that day.

Repeat if necessary (it probably won’t be).

Machiavelli May Have Had a Point

Want someone to improve at a particular KPI? Walk up and thank them for it. Not when they get better - now. Don’t mention the number or whether it’s good or bad - just thank them for it.

The first thing they’ll do is run back to their desk to see what you’re talking about. If the number isn’t terrible, they’ll be sure to improve it, because everyone wants to be a hero - especially in their own eyes.

If the number IS terrible, they’ll assume you were being sarcastic, and that you are watching them like a hawk. Either way, performance will improve. If it doesn’t, they are almost certainly planning to jump ship.

Plan accordingly.