Disruptions, Incentives, and Inertia

Disruptions, Incentives, and Inertia



Incentives can be a powerful tool to motivate and guide teams toward success. But, it’s crucial to recognize that the force of incentives is akin to a double-edged sword—capable of propelling us toward greatness or leading us astray.

As the leader of The Disruption Project at Vanderbilt University, I have the unique opportunity to study the disruptive efforts of people worldwide, ranging from household names to unsung heroes. One critical insight we’ve gained is the profound relationship and importance of Incentives and Inertia. This insight has illuminated how the strategic application of incentives can effectively overcome the inertia that often impedes progress and innovation.

The Four Ps of Well-Designed Incentives

  1. Put You into Motion: The right incentives act as a spark, igniting motivation and enthusiasm within a team. They transform inertia into action, encouraging individuals to take the first crucial steps towards achieving their goals.
  2. Propel You Forward: Beyond initiating action, well-crafted incentives are a continuous fuel source, driving teams to push boundaries, exceed expectations, and achieve milestones, ensuring sustained momentum.
  3. Prevent You from Stopping: In the face of challenges and obstacles, a well-aligned incentive system provides the resilience and determination needed to persevere. It ensures that the focus remains on the end goal, preventing discouragement from halting progress.
  4. Pivot You in the Right Direction: As teams navigate the complex landscape of their industries, incentives can act as a compass, guiding them toward the most valuable and impactful activities. They ensure that efforts are not just diligent but also directionally correct.

The Four Ss of Poorly Aligned Incentives

Conversely, incentives not carefully aligned with the right goals and ethical standards can lead to detrimental outcomes.

  1. Strip You of Motivation: Incentives misaligned with personal values or team objectives can demoralize and disengage, draining the enthusiasm and drive that fuels progress.
  2. Stop You in Your Tracks: Instead of encouraging forward movement, poorly designed incentives can create confusion and misdirection, leading teams to a standstill as they grapple with conflicting priorities.
  3. Silo Your Efforts: When incentives encourage individual achievement at the expense of teamwork, they can fragment a cohesive group into isolated silos, undermining the collective power of collaboration.
  4. Spur You to Do What Isn’t Right: Perhaps most dangerously, incentives that reward the wrong behaviors can tempt individuals and teams to cut corners, sacrifice quality, or even act unethically, jeopardizing the integrity and long-term success of the organization.

Harnessing the Power Wisely

The disruptive power of incentives is undeniable, yet wielding this power effectively requires a thoughtful and strategic approach. It’s about designing incentives that drive action and ensure that it is in the right direction and for the right reasons. Organizations that master the art of aligning incentives with their core values and goals can unlock unprecedented innovation, commitment, and achievement levels.

Ten Areas to Consider About Your Incentives and Inertia

  1. Alignment Check: How well do your current incentives align with your organizational goals and values? Are they propelling you toward your strategic objectives or pulling you in different directions?
  2. Motivation Analysis: Are your incentives effectively motivating your team or inadvertently creating inertia? How can you tell the difference in your daily operations?
  3. Behavioral Impact: What behaviors are your incentives encouraging? Are you promoting collaboration and innovation or accidentally fostering competition and short-term thinking?
  4. Inertia Identification: Where do you see inertia within your organization? What are the underlying causes, and how might incentives contribute to this stagnation?
  5. Adaptation and Flexibility: How adaptable and flexible are your incentive structures? Can they pivot in response to changing market conditions, organizational priorities, and team dynamics?
  6. Ethical Considerations: Are your incentives promoting ethical behavior and decision-making? How do you safeguard against incentives that might encourage unethical actions?
  7. Feedback and Communication: How effectively are you gathering and utilizing feedback on your incentive programs? Are you communicating the purpose and expectations clearly to your team?
  8. Success Measurement: What metrics are you using to measure the success of your incentives? Are these metrics accurately capturing the value and impact of the behaviors you want to encourage?
  9. Team Dynamics: How are incentives affecting team dynamics and collaboration? Are they enhancing teamwork or creating silos and divisions within your organization?
  10. Long-term vs. Short-term: Are your incentives focused too much on short-term gains at the expense of long-term growth and sustainability? How can you strike the right balance?

PATRICK LEDDIN

Patrick Leddin, PhD

Patrick Leddin, PhD is a speaker, global leadership consultant, and The Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Five-Week Leadership Challenge. Patrick is an Associate Professor at Vanderbilt University with a thriving leadership blog and podcast, and 25-years of leadership experience. He offers an unparalleled mix of academic rigor and real-world experience.