Incentives, Assumptions and Research

Why Incentives Are Effective, Irresistible, and Almost Certain to Backfire | Fast Company

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Jill Geisler, faculty member at the Poynter Institute for Media Studies in Florida, points out this important article in Fast Company magazine. It clearly illustrates the law of unintended consequence. I also appreciate this piece because it drills down into some of the reasons for unintended consequences.

The article mentions research into a practice called "focusing illusion." Basically, that's when people assume they know how other people think, or how they will react. And you know that old saying about the word "assume" -- "it makes an ass out of you and an ass out of me."

No offense meant.

A classmate in my coaching certification class gave me the best counterweight ever to the practice of assumption. His motto: "When you meet resistance, do research."

John's motto is perfect because of its simplicity and efficiency. Compare the potential time savings from a few direct questions to develop a specific remedy, verses a course of trial and failure based on inadequate information, or assumption.

Research helps avoid the unintended consequences. And that should be a powerful incentive.