People create incentive systems all the time, often without realizing it. Every interaction evidences incentives: patterns of eye contact, tone of voice, choice of words. In a power-differentiated work setting (like a manager with reports), incentives flow every which way moment by moment, day by day, week by week.
Reading through this post took me back to memories of long past and made me remember how it seems I have been frustrated at some point by almost all the symptoms or consequences that you mention: "Smaller companies copy bigger companies", "Juniors being discouraged from behavior that fuels growth", "Seniors coasting", "The wrong people transitioning to management".
I want to believe is possible to create a better incentive system, but where should it start, I mean, is it enough if the reportees have awareness and care or is it necessary that the CEO starts caring?
Reading through this post took me back to memories of long past and made me remember how it seems I have been frustrated at some point by almost all the symptoms or consequences that you mention: "Smaller companies copy bigger companies", "Juniors being discouraged from behavior that fuels growth", "Seniors coasting", "The wrong people transitioning to management".
I want to believe is possible to create a better incentive system, but where should it start, I mean, is it enough if the reportees have awareness and care or is it necessary that the CEO starts caring?