The Front-Line Leader: Building a High-Performance Organization from the Ground Up

Conclusion

If you've spent time in the military or law enforcement, you may have heard of challenge coins—medallions given to select individuals honoring a milestone event, special achievement, or valiant action. Different departments or military units each have unique coins imprinted with logos or other design elements. They're called challenge coins because the person you give one to is supposed to carry it around with them at all times. If you later run into this person, you can “challenge” them to present their coin. If they don't have the coin on them, they're supposed to buy you a drink. It's a loose tradition, of course; I've never known a recipient who has been challenged, much less made to buy a drink. The point is simply to recognize ...