Consultants Quote by Alfie Kohn
“The legendary statistical consultant W. Edwards Deming, . . . has called the system by which merit is appraised and rewarded 'the most powerful inhibitor to quality and productivity in the Western world' . . . it is simply unfair to the extent that employees are held responsible for what are, in reality, systemic factors that are beyond their control.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Punished by Rewards, Alfie Kohn, 1993
Reward systems that blame individuals for outcomes shaped by larger systems hinder quality and productivity.
In simple terms: Blaming workers for systemic issues is unfair.
Key Takeaway
Shift focus to systemic improvement.
Themes
workplace fairness
systems
productivity
Mood
critical
analytical
thoughtful
Type
business
psychology
When to use this quote
- employee evaluation
- policy design
- team management
Key Concepts
organizational behavior
motivation
justice
Questions to Reflect On
- How can organizations reward without blaming individuals?
- What systemic changes could replace punitive metrics?
A Different Perspective
Rewards can motivate short-term compliance but may reduce intrinsic drive.
