Book Titles

The problem with making an extrinsic reward the only destination that matters is that some people will choose the quickest route there, even if it means taking the low road.

…most scandals and misbehavior that have seemed endemic to modern life involve shortcuts.

When the reward is the activity itself – deepening learning, delighting customers, doing one’s best – there are no shortcuts. The only route to the destination is the high road.

…cash rewards and shiny trophies can provide a delicious jolt of pleasure at first, but the feeling soon dissipates – and to keep it alive, the recipient requires ever larger and more frequent doses.

Rewards’ addictive qualities can also distort decision-making.

…extrinsic motivators – especially tangible, ‘if-then’ ones – can also reduce the depth of our thinking. They can focus our sights on only what’s immediately before us rather than what’s off in the distance.

Many times a concentrated focus makes sense… But in less dramatic circumstances, fixating on an immediate reward can damage performance over time.

Cheaters want the quick win – regardless of the lasting consequences.

…even when the behavior doesn’t devolve into shortcuts or addiction, the near-term allure of rewards can be harmful in the long run.

…companies pay a steep price for not extending their gaze beyond the next quarter.