--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you want people to perform better, you…" description: "\"If you want people to perform better, you reward them, right? Bonuses, commissions, their own reality show. Incentivize them. ¦ But thats not happening..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe1/anonymous-1_being-true-to-yourse_if-you-want-people-to-perform-better-you_65561.jpg" --- # If you want people to perform better, you reward them… ![“If you want people to perform better, you reward them, right? Bonuses, commissions, their own reality show. Incentivize them. ¦ But thats not happening here. Youve got an incentive designed to sharpen thinking and accelerate creativity, and it does just the opposite. It dulls thinking and blocks…” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe1/anonymous-1_being-true-to-yourse_if-you-want-people-to-perform-better-you_65561.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe1/anonymous-1_being-true-to-yourse_if-you-want-people-to-perform-better-you_65561.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe1/anonymous-1_being-true-to-yourse_if-you-want-people-to-perform-better-you_65561.jpg) > “If you want people to perform better, you reward them, right? Bonuses, commissions, their own reality show. Incentivize them. ¦ But thats not happening here. Youve got an incentive designed to sharpen thinking and accelerate creativity, and it does just the opposite. It dulls thinking and blocks creativity” [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. External rewards can paradoxically suppress intrinsic motivation, leading to reduced creativity and slower problem‑solving. **In simple terms:** Rewards may hinder creativity. Key Takeaway Extrinsic incentives can backfire. Themes Motivation Creativity Incentives Psychology Performance Mood Reflective Cautious Type Observational Cautionary When to use this quote - Corporate innovation teams - Academic research labs - Creative agencies - Start‑up product development Key Concepts Intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation Cognitive load Self‑determination theory Practical Applications - Design incentive structures that prioritize autonomy and mastery. Questions to Reflect On - How might you measure the impact of a reward on creative output? - What alternative motivators could replace monetary bonuses? A Different Perspective When rewards align with clear, measurable goals, they can boost focus without stifling creativity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being true to yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-true-to-yourself/) [Better Reward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-reward-875509/) [Creativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creativity/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Got Incentive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/got-incentive-875511/) [Incentive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/incentive/) [Incentive Designed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/incentive-designed-875510/) [Reality Incentivize](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality-incentivize-875508/) [Reality show](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality-show/) ## Related quotes > [If you want people to perform better, you reward them, right? Bonuses, commissions, their own reality show. Incentivize them. ... But that's not happening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/if-you-want-people-to-perform-better-you-reward-them-right-bonuses-2/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [What better reward than to see others excited by your work?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-louis/what-better-reward-than-to-see-others-excited-by-your-work/) [Jean Louis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-louis/) > [“Not that incentives are always so easy to figure out. Different types of incentives—financial, social, moral, legal, and others—push people’s buttons in different directions,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/not-that-incentives-are-always-so-easy-to-figure-out-different-types/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [But one type of book that practically no one likes to read is a book about the law. Books about the law are notorious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-one-type-of-book-that-practically-no-one-likes-to-read-is-a-book/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The cell phone companies add to the problem. Every one they give out, they get money for from the federal government. So they have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-cell-phone-companies-add-to-the-problem-every-one-they-give-out/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [An incentive is a bullet, a key: an often tiny object with astonishing power to change a situation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/an-incentive-is-a-bullet-a-key-an-often-tiny-object-with-astonishing/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The incentive that you give to your youth is going to be the make-or-break future of the country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-incentive-that-you-give-to-your-youth-is-going-to-be-the-make-or/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“We don’t mean to create the impression that any problem can be fixed with a simple shift of the framework or a clever incentive.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-don-t-mean-to-create-the-impression-that-any-problem-can-be-fixed/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I've heard the argument that unemployment benefits somehow act as a disincentive to the long-term unemployed when it comes to looking for work, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-ve-heard-the-argument-that-unemployment-benefits-somehow-act-as-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Apparently the WWE is producing a new reality show where former WWE Superstars sit around a house. Isn't that what TNA is? Just sayin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/apparently-the-wwe-is-producing-a-new-reality-show-where-former-wwe/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Currently starring in my own reality show titled, A Modern Cinderella; One Girls Search for Love and Shoes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/currently-starring-in-my-own-reality-show-titled-a-modern-cinderella/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Constantly wondering why your life isn't a reality show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/constantly-wondering-why-your-life-isn-t-a-reality-show/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Nothing better than a reality show where everyone's speaking English yet they still need subtitles to be understood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/nothing-better-than-a-reality-show-where-everyone-s-speaking-english/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Dad, sorry the cute things I did as a kid couldn't be shamelessly exploited on YouTube or a reality show...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/dad-sorry-the-cute-things-i-did-as-a-kid-couldn-t-be-shamelessly/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We also have no incentive compensation of any kind. And the reason we don’t is because it is detrimental to teamwork.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-bezos/we-also-have-no-incentive-compensation-of-any-kind-and-the-reason-we/) [Jeff Bezos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-bezos/) ## More by Anonymous > [And a tear rolled down her cheek, as she said goodbye; because she's walking away, and she's never looking back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-a-tear-rolled-down-her-cheek-as-she-said-goodbye-because-she-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. I can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scrabble-the-game-is-available-in-braille-that-s-a-nice-fact-this/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Everyone needs someone to love, and I choose you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-needs-someone-to-love-and-i-choose-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Put on my J's and dance the whole night away Im naughty by nature like Im hip-hop hooray With my hands in the sky,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/put-on-my-j-s-and-dance-the-whole-night-away-im-naughty-by-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Me.. I have been through a lot, but I still manage to have a smile on my face. Im not worried about the past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/me-i-have-been-through-a-lot-but-i-still-manage-to-have-a-smile-on-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Distance is a test of love. many will fail for those who can't withstand it, but for those who can, theres only one answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distance-is-a-test-of-love-many-will-fail-for-those-who-can-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Im sorry I ever tried...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-sorry-i-ever-tried/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being betrayed by the one you love is the worst feeling in the world...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-betrayed-by-the-one-you-love-is-the-worst-feeling-in-the-world/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only person I've ever purposely caused pain here is myself...By simply sharing, caring too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-person-i-ve-ever-purposely-caused-pain-here-is-myself-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Explore all 162,899 Anonymous quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More Being true to yourself quotes > [It hurts wanting the best for someone you love, even if they feel the best isn't you. That's real love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-hurts-wanting-the-best-for-someone-you-love-even-if-they-feel-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [No matter how badly people treat you, never drop down to their level. It will only excite them more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/no-matter-how-badly-people-treat-you-never-drop-down-to-their-level/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Please dont say you dont miss him. Just to pity me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-yap/please-dont-say-you-dont-miss-him-just-to-pity-me/) [William Yap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-yap/) > [Be who you want to be, not what people want to see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/be-who-you-want-to-be-not-what-people-want-to-see/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I am who I am. I don't ever want to change for you or anyone else. I'm not perfect. I run into things. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-am-who-i-am-i-don-t-ever-want-to-change-for-you-or-anyone-else-i-m/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When you start giving too much importance to some one in your life , you tend to lose your value in their life …STRANGE…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/when-you-start-giving-too-much-importance-to-some-one-in-your-life/) [Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/) > [If we are lucky enough to have something that makes us different from everybody else, dont change. Uniqueness is priceless. In this crazy world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-we-are-lucky-enough-to-have-something-that-makes-us-different-from/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Some introverts are actually brilliant extraverts. They're just afraid of judgement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/modestas-rinkevicius/some-introverts-are-actually-brilliant-extraverts-they-re-just-afraid/) [Modestas Rinkevicius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/modestas-rinkevicius/) > [Everybody searches for a chance to impress other. But they don't understands, That impressions are made by very casual happening...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pacifiersucker/everybody-searches-for-a-chance-to-impress-other-but-they-don-t/) [Pacifiersucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pacifiersucker/) > [Define yourself. Never give anyone any chance to define you by their definitions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/define-yourself-never-give-anyone-any-chance-to-define-you-by-their/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [When life rains on your parade, bring out the Slip'n'Slide!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-life-rains-on-your-parade-bring-out-the-slip-n-slide/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Find your light...dont hide from what you are, rise before you fall, and hope for something more: live if you really want to](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yuna/find-your-light-dont-hide-from-what-you-are-rise-before-you-fall-and/) [Yuna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuna/) > [If you can you will, if you can't you must.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cv-pillay/if-you-can-you-will-if-you-can-t-you-must/) [Cv Pillay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cv-pillay/) > [Be yourself, be what you want to be not what others want you to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/be-yourself-be-what-you-want-to-be-not-what-others-want-you-to-be/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [Be yourself. They dont have to like you but you dont have to care.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/be-yourself-they-dont-have-to-like-you-but-you-dont-have-to-care/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 579 Being true to yourself quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-true-to-yourself/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you want people to perform better, you reward them, right? Bonuses, commissions, their own reality show. Incentivize them. ¦ But thats not happening here. Youve got an incentive designed to sharpen thinking and accelerate creativity, and it does just the opposite. 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