Re: Celebration versus Rewards

[James Robert Crow <jr1crow@mindspring.com>]

Hello Group:

I am currently re-reading "Undaunted Courage"  This is a book about the
Lewis and Clark Expedition, and the opening of the American West.  I highly
recommend it.  If the group had experienced an unusually difficult day or
there had been some obstacial that they had to work really hard at to
overcome the "Captains" (Lewis and Clark) would distribute an extra dram of
whisky.  This would in many cases be accompanies by fiddle playing and
dancing.

It is hard for me to understand how a man could pull hard on a paddle for
10 to 12 hours and then still be able to dance, but this group did it
regularly.  In reading the book I don't get the impression that this was
done as a reward, but rather as a recognition that the group had had a hard
day, or had overcome something and either had a reason to celebrate or
perhaps, needed a little cheering up.

These were spontaneous celebrations, rather than planned rewards.  In other
words the "Captains" did not say "If we make 20 miles today there will be
an extra dram of whisky for everyone."  Rather if the group made 20 miles
this was a cause for celebration and an extra dram of whisky could be
dooled out.  But even here this was not always done.

My personal opinion is that for things of this nature to be effective they
should not be planned.  They should be spontaneous, and should be for the
celebration of some significant event.  Otherwise it gets into the relm of,
if we do this then we get this.

Robert Crow
Principal
Crow Consulting
165 River North Circle NW
Atlanta, GA 30328 USA
Voice 770-396-2280
FAX 770-396-7010
jr1crow@mindspring.com
www.crowgroup.net