“Most people work just hard enough not to get fired and get paid just enough money not to quit.” ~ George Carlin

When my two kids became old enough to have chores I took each of them, to the back yard to talk. The story went something like this:

Aaron, you are a fantastic employee. When you do your job, the business does well. No one does the job better than you. But when you forget to do the job or show up late, we suffer. So I am regretfully going to have to fire you. I trust you understand.

After the first “deer in headlights” look, they got it and we shared a moment. This conversation never resulted in them doing their chores better. But it was something they both remember to this day.