SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/cadet-contingent-reward

You earn a promotion after finishing requirements agreed on in advance. Which leadership factor is that?

Contingent reward, effort traded for an agreed reward.

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  1. Individualized consideration
  2. Referent power
  3. Contingent reward ✔

Why: Contingent reward is a transactional deal: leader and follower agree up front on the work and the reward. Cadet promotions are an example. Lean on it too much and people chase the prize instead of growth.

Huh, didn't know that: "Contingent" means something happens only when certain conditions are met.

The dad joke
Why did the cadet bring a carrot to the promotion board? He heard it was a reward system.
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References

Answer: Contingent reward. Contingent reward is a transactional deal: leader and follower agree up front on the work and the reward. Cadet promotions are an example. Lean on it too much and people chase the prize instead of growth.

  1. Learn to Lead, Volume 2, Chapter 7 (Civil Air Patrol) www.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/Vol2LetterLowFinal_8BDFDB373E830.pdf
    A contingent reward describes an interaction between leader and follower in which the follower's effort is exchanged for rewards.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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Test yourself in the game

Leadership & CadetsA leader watches trainees closely and corrects mistakes as they happen. What is this called?Leadership & CadetsA commander hands you a list of your mistakes a month later, with no real feedback. What is this?Leadership & CadetsHow should rewards support a desired culture change?

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