Is this how to deal with negative people?

This article suggests that the way to handle negative people in the work place is to focus on encouraging their good behaviors. I can’t say that the author’s intent is that this is categorically the way to handle this type of person, but in the situation the office manager finds herself this is the suggested method. It is so because the Office Manager doesn’t like nagging the lazy employee to do stuff. I would like to suggest that there is a difference between nagging an employee and offering constructive feedback or direction. I have had wretched employees in the past, one of which I had to fire, but nagging was never an option that was even on the table. It seems to me that by clearly laying out expectations and consequences of failing to meet those expectations, one shouldn’t have to ever nag. Nagging seems like you are bargaining, or negotiating with the employee. Any of you who know me at all, would attest that I am not an ironfisted ruler over those in my charge. I am however firmly convinced that people in a position must be willing to perform the duties, even the icky ones, that are part of their position. Of course the outcome here is hard to argue with, and I don’t want to sound like I am against encouraging employees. I do however believe that to only engage employees when something is going well is just as foolish as only engaging them when things are going poorly.