Bithive reviewed Punished by Rewards by Alfie Kohn
Mindaltering book about incentive systems and autonomie
5 stars
This book was recommended to me in a conversation about 'Non Violent Communication'. Similar to NVC, it highlights the importance of authentic human interaction. The book critiques the use of Rewards and Punishments, arguing that they destroy the quality and self-fulfillment in work. When Rewards and Punishments are introduced, the task at hand becomes a means to an end, rather than an intrinsically valuable experience. This also holds true for merit pay programs. The best employees don't work for money or rewards; they are intrinsically motivated.
Intrinsic motivation is the key to success, and the book emphasizes the importance of self-determination. While the book focuses primarily on teaching and children, its advice can be applied to any situation.
The core message is to abandon reward and incentive systems and instead structure work in a way that genuinely engages people. Although I was hoping for more business-specific advice, the essence of …
This book was recommended to me in a conversation about 'Non Violent Communication'. Similar to NVC, it highlights the importance of authentic human interaction. The book critiques the use of Rewards and Punishments, arguing that they destroy the quality and self-fulfillment in work. When Rewards and Punishments are introduced, the task at hand becomes a means to an end, rather than an intrinsically valuable experience. This also holds true for merit pay programs. The best employees don't work for money or rewards; they are intrinsically motivated.
Intrinsic motivation is the key to success, and the book emphasizes the importance of self-determination. While the book focuses primarily on teaching and children, its advice can be applied to any situation.
The core message is to abandon reward and incentive systems and instead structure work in a way that genuinely engages people. Although I was hoping for more business-specific advice, the essence of the book is applicable across all areas of life. Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to improve their interpersonal relationships and create a more fulfilling workplace environment.