Innovation dies.

I posit — we deliver our best work when we *want* to;
not when we are *forced/threatened* (think carrot and stick).
Innovation dies in workplaces with no carrot and mostly stick.
Negative workplace drama (layoffs, toxic bosses, etc) affect us deeply, it is the enemy of innovation.
Neuroscience explains why.

Natural selection was in full force 80,000 years ago, at the dawn of the human species. The humans who grouped together in tribes were more likely to survive and reproduce; the loners were not. This is our primitive wiring.

Today, our brains are organized around that wiring —
to survive, to belong to a tribe, to rise within that tribe
today this equates to wealth/house/car/trophy spouse.

So, what does that mean in the modern workplace? Innovation thrives in workplaces that do NOT threaten survival, but DO create belonging and growth (team goals, team rewards, mentoring). This equates to an all “carrot”, no “stick” workplace. I posit — we deliver our best work when we *want* to; not when we are *forced/threatened*.

Neuroscience: Being *forced/threatened* causes our amygdala (fight or flight) to shout; and our frontal lobe (logic and innovation) is silenced, shut down.

On a personal note, early in my career, I tried tech sales. I had the knowledge/drive/contacts, but I failed due to the above.
all I saw was stick (miss the number), I never turned the corner to see the carrot

Take a second, consider workplaces you know — group them into “all carrot and no stick” and “no carrot and all stick” …
Which group is more innovative?
… I conclude “stick” is the enemy of innovation. yes?