The planting season is in full bloom across the Carolinas.

What do you think about carrots for your garden?

In this case, it’s not the orange root vegetable long-rumored to help your eyesight. And it’s not a plot of freshly turned dirt in your backyard.

The “carrot” in this case is from the carrot and stick idiom, the origins of which involve dangling a carrot from a stick in front of a work animal to keep him moving forward.

Actually, a much nicer picture is that advanced by recognition consultants Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton in their best-selling series of Carrot books.

How about this:

• Seed – Set clear goals

• Plant – Communicate openly

• Nurture – Build trust

• Weed – Hold everyone accountable

• Harvest – Recognition that leads to acceleration of team performance and engagement

I don’t have a green thumb, but I do believe Gostick and Elton have hit “pay dirt” with this concept…