Do Incentives and Rewards Need an Intervention?

We haven't been in the habit of linking from this site to the stuff we do for Fistful of Talent but our post today on FOT is pretty interesting (if we say so ourselves... and we do...)

The question is:  

If awards stimulate the same area of the brain that cocaine, heroin and nicotine do, are we creating award addicts?

Ready, set, go... Discuss.

Check the post - link here.

Comments

[Christianfey]

I think that awards are self-reinforcing expectations. When you receive an award for your good work, you then begin to expect to continue that good work for the next award period. The award could be an actual award, but can also include a promotion, salary bonus, or even team recognition. If/When you don't receive the next award, you feel slighted and have to wonder why you were good enough last time, but not this time. Some resentment ensues, and then you work harder to be considered for the next award.

Not all people behave like this, but if you are truly driven for success, you can't help being competitive with not only your coworkers, but also yourself. Everyone wants to one-up themselves because they know they can do better than the last time.

Long story short, yes, I think we do create award addicts. Thanks for the post Paul!

[Paul Hebert]

Thanks Christian for your comments. On the Fistful site where the original post resides a few folks are saying it's alright to create addicts - good for biz and it makes the folks happy.

I guess I should have been more specific and singled out "extrinsic" incentives since that was what was in my mind. I think having that internal glow - where we create the dopamine rush on our own is good. What I was thinking is the need to further increase external rewards through cash/non-cash rewards and benefits. Addictions are typically progressive and more and more is needed for the same rush. I'd rather see the company rely more on the accomplishment for long term goals and their main tool for engagement and motivation - and leave the incentives for short-term - less strategic things. Keeps the employees from becoming addicted (IMHO.)