Categories: EducationRattleBag and Rhubarb

The Incentive

“The incentives I took as an insult. I didn’t think motivation was needed. It was not the right thing for me, not the right thing for my players.”
– Joe Torre, turning down an offer to continue as manager of the NY Yankees.

I am not much of a fan of professional sports* but I was struck by Joe Torre’s comment that was all over the news at the end of the week. His remark that money was not the incentive for winning a pennant or a World Series struck a chord. Surely all major league teams and their managers are motivated to gain such post-season glory. And how would a financial incentive upfront make one jot of difference?

It reminded me of Rick Lavoie’s comment in the classic learning video F.A.T. City where, in a workshop simulation, he offers a financial incentive to one of the participants. She is very motivated but still unable to complete the task. And of course, when you don’t “get it”in school – when you can’t perceive the answer, it’s not a lack of motivation but a need for good teaching.

I don’t know why Joe Torre was insulted but I do think it insults children when well-meaning but misguided adults offer incentives for learning.

*Although I enjoy watching the games of young people I actually know. I managed to see the best part of three soccer matches this week – middle school, girls’ varsity and boys’ varsity – great games all of them. Here are a few pictures from recent games.