I spend a good bit of time in rental cars when traveling for business. One of the great things I get to experience is satellite radio. Specifically, the comedy channels. A few weeks back I was in the car for about an hour and was listening to one of the comedy channels and heard a story from a comedian that was probably the funniest "clean" joke I've heard in a long time - and with a little stretching - has a lot to do with designing reward and recognition programs.
If you've paid any attention to this site over the past two years you know I have spent a lot of time talking about "unintended consequences." Whenever you put in place an initiative to influence behavior you really need to think through all the possible ways a person could potentially achieve their goals and earn a reward. The classic is running incentives for reducing call time in a call center. People can earn a lot of incentives by simply cutting short the call - increasing poor customer service.
The story I heard on the radio is as follows - believe me - it is much, much funnier when I tell it in person. Have me come in and present - you'll be sure to hear it!
The Case for Odd Outcomes
A male child was born and his parents gave him the first name of Odd. That's right - O-D-D. Odd. As you would expect this became a bit of an albatross for Odd as he grew and attended school. Children will be children and he was teased mercilessly. He hated to go to school each day.
High school was no different. Odd grew to be a young man with little self-esteem and continually sought out those activities where he could remain anonymous. Odd did not attend college but took whatever job that was offered and that would also ensure he could fly below everyone's radar. Even so, it was inevitable that people at work would find out his name and the teasing continued throughout his adult life.
Our unfortunate subject - through whatever miracle - did manage to court and marry a fine women. Together they were happy. The one place that Odd could feel comfortable was with his wife.
As Odd and his wife entered their 80's Odd told his wife that when he died he did not want his name on his tombstone. He was so crushed by the problems his name had
caused throughout his life he didn't want to endure the same strife for eternity. All he wanted on his tombstone was the day he was born and the day he died. Nothing else.
His wife agreed.
As it would happen Odd preceded his wife in death and his wishes were honored. His tombstone simply listed his birth and date of his death.
Since that day, as folks stroll through the grounds on their way to visit their loved ones in the cemetery where Odd is buried, they will come upon Odd's tombstone. Looking down on the plain stone, with just the two dates on it... they will look at each other and say...
"Isn't that Odd?"
So much for remaining anonymous for eternity.
Great story to tell when communicating the issue of unintended consequences.
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