Behavior Quote by Aubrey Daniels
“Positive reinforcement generates more behavior than is minimally required. We call this discretionary effort, and its presence in the workplace is the only way an organization can maximize performance.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Human Performance Management, Aubrey Daniels, 2004
People work harder when they feel recognized and rewarded, leading to extra effort beyond basic duties.
In simple terms: Recognition boosts extra effort.
Reward and recognize to inspire discretionary effort.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- employee engagement
- customer service
- sales targets
- project teams
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you ensure rewards are seen as fair?
- What non‑monetary recognitions work best?
If rewards are perceived as unfair, effort may decline.