How frustrating, yet unsurprising, to get such a response from the principle.

I really, really, REALLY doubt she shared your email with anybody other than the Trash folder in her email program. Sad.

Jonathon Andell
Andell Associates, LLC
602.689.6041 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              602.689.6041      end_of_the_skype_highlighting
jandell@andellassociates.com

Way to speak up for your daughter, Mike! Well said, well thought out, well done!

I am writing a book on measuring the right things. My challenge, as you might guess, is not finding an abundance of goofs, but rather finding the occasional pearls of getting it right. However, if I opt to include your article in the former category, may I quote from your letter - with full citations, of course?

Regards -

Jonathon

Well written article, but I have an issue with it.  I have seen more and more young folks moving into the workplace out of college and suddenly finding themselves having to actually compete with others for a job, for recognition, for pay increases, for bonuses.  It seems as if they have come out of educational institutions where they couldn't play "Tag" or "Kickball" any more because someone always loses and no one wants someone to feel bad. They are coming out of schools that give everyone a trophy because everyone is a "winner".  They come from places with a twisted concept that competition is bad.  And it is ruining them and ruining our country's ability to compete in the world market.

Perhaps this is not what you intended in your letter to the principle of your daughter's school, but that is what I got out of it.  The short reply is probably indicative of someone who probably skipped most of your letter with a yawn, thinking you were preaching from a higher, holier place, spanking them with point after point from a professional's viewpoint and not an educators viewpoint and referencing some obscure work that no one but you and 8 other people in the world has read. I don't think you impressed the principle at all.

I think award programs are good. I have received awards and I have recommended others for awards and it has always worked well for everyone. It lifts spirits, even if your co-worker gets it and you don't. Most folks are happy for others when they win something. And in this day and age, a few extra bucks is always a good thing.

In summary, your reaction to your daughter's situation may be appropriate...none of us really know without being in your shoes or your daughter's or even the principle's...but this particular situation just doesn't translate into the workplace, IMHO.

Jeff Greer FAI Quality Manager

Good article Mike.  But Jeff Greer's response made me question something:  Are you saying that competion is bad?  My kids have competed in both individual and team activities, and always thrive on it.  But, what I think is different is that the criteria is well defined, clear, and available for all to prepare and compete against (even for a judgment-based sport like gymnastics).   In the case of your daughter, it seems that the criteria is capricious, widely open to manipulation (e.g. the student who erases shoe skid marks in front of the janitor), more or less a popularity contest.  

So, do you see a place in schools and the workplace for competition and rewards?  And what would make it a healthy experience?

Thanks, Jeff

100% agree, we should work as a community to teach values to children and try to provide examples of them so they can actually live through and with them.  We should not teach children to compete on values, if we're really living with moral values one wins more from being compassionate, understanding, honest, truthful, while performing in the best way we can, trying to exceed  our own limits ( and not crushing anyone else) and  being an excellent team member,  than than just striving for material things as a title or a trophy.Great article, Mike! 

   Adam Smith, most famous for his economic treatise on the "invisible hand" addressed this same issue roughly two and a half centuries ago.  "The rules governing educational institutions are there for the benefit of those doing the governing, not those being governed."

   It is not only possible, but rather common, for a group (or profession) to repeat the same mistake or kinds of mistakes for so long that they become tradition.

RDearing

Nice article Mike! Somehow giving awards vs abolishing them is a paradox. Coming from India, Asia, i have a different perspective. To receive awards is something, which one aspires to, as it brings fame and respect to the individual. Isn't this what we are looking for consciously or unconsciously in life, at our workplace? Though the credibility can be questioned depending on who judges and what the criteria is.

It is our undying effort to be different from others (either in studies, compensation, clothes, material possessions et all). Unfortunately what causes the heartburn is assessing one's self worth purely based on awards/material possessions. Of course it is nice to receive one, but it is not the sole criteria.

Personally i look at my own successes and failure as a yardstick and gain the confidence from these. I don't remember  receiving any awards at school or college when my peers did and I feel i'm equally doing well when compared to them. All that should matter to you is your self worth. If they give an award it's a bonus.

Suggestion is for you, is to set personal goals and let her keep breaching the limits...When you look back, you would realize that she has left the award winners far behind!