Roxanne Abbas wrote:
>
> I want to thank Margaret McIntyre for the suggested questions for our
> discussion of *Punished by Rewards*. Her first suggestion was:
>
> >1) what questions/concerns do we have on this topic BEFORE we begin
> >reading?
Roxanne, I'm just about finished with the book--I've really enjoyed it.
One of my concerns, before I began reading (or heard) of the book is about
the transactional relationships which we constantly form within our
cultures.
It seems to me that learning organizations rely on a transformational
relationship, and on people (at many points within an organization) who
exhibit the qualities of a transformational leader.
The problem with reward systems is that it bases the relationship on
transactions--a quid pro quo--which permeates every thread of the
relational fabric between those in the organization. I have vivid
memories of disdaining a good grade because of my disregard for a certain
teacher--and not wanting to owe them for their "goody." I was one who
resisted rewards (preferring punishment, I guess). Those who curried
favor, by working for rewards, were often quite dependent on those who
administered the grades. It is probably unrealistic to attempt to untie
ourselves from these relationships of transactions--but I'm convinced that
there are many who would like to try, who would prefer principle-centered
organizations and leaders to what they now have.
It happens in the workplace, too. I remember working for a brief period
in a "welfare" office. Everyone (employee, supervisor, client) hated
coming to this place, hated working there, and did it only for the wages
and hope for retirement (and hope for a transfer out of there). When I
quit, after 6 months, because of the negativity, people were incredulous!
They're stuck there--for the bread--and can't believe that someone could
leave the security (and horror) behind. Goodies become more complex as we
get older--and we rely on the just rewards we earn, the various sources of
income, safety and security which we exchange for our freedom, health,
sanity.
My desired outcome from this dialog will be to see if I can find a useful
method to change the relationships we experience in the workplace.
Doc
--Richard C. "Doc" Holloway, Thresholds--Human Development and Networking P.O. Box 2361, Olympia, WA 98507 Phone: (360) 786-0925 Fax: (360) 709-4361 olypolys@nwrain.com
"In questions of power . . . let us hear no more of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution."
-Thomas Jefferson
Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>