Rewards for Trying?

[Jason]

I think competition is a good thing, but at least coming out there is commendable. Nonetheless, this idea can be silly. If so much is put on someone for being there than what value is winning?

Anyway, I'm not the type to rub in winning to losers. This is not what I mean.

 

[Arantor]

It’s a delicate balance because on the one hand you want to engage those who can and do excel to strive to be the best, and on the other you still want to motivate and encourage those who were never going to win.

It’s like me and school sports. I was never going to be up there athletically (some genetic factors, plus a total lack of interest) so it would have been easy to completely just not care and do the bare possible minimum, but at my school for the bigger sports events they actually did it both ways - everyone got *something* for participating, and the winners got *something else* on top.

This isn’t going to work for everyone in all situations but I think it’s important to at least try to recognise that for any such competition, there is a spectrum of capability and you don’t want to alienate the not-so-good people at the expense of celebrating the top few, but you also don’t want to alienate the top few from reaching their potential to appease the rest. I find that actively trying to recognise this does get noticed by all concerned even if you can’t do a great deal about it.

 

[Reverie]

I remember people my parents age would always say my generation was too soft for needing prizes for losing. Sometimes a kid just needs to be recognized for trying though - it motivates them to try again. I suppose if they lose and don't get anything it may help them to want to strive to do better though. I kind of agree with Arantor here, I've seen it done where winners win the basic prize, and then get an even better prize. It seems fair to me, everyone participated, everyone gets something - even if it's just a coupon to somewhere it's better than nothing!

 

[guyyanthony]

I remember people my parents age would always say my generation was too soft for needing prizes for losing. Sometimes a kid just needs to be recognized for trying though - it motivates them to try again. I suppose if they lose and don't get anything it may help them to want to strive to do better though. I kind of agree with Arantor here, I've seen it done where winners win the basic prize, and then get an even better prize. It seems fair to me, everyone participated, everyone gets something - even if it's just a coupon to somewhere it's better than nothing!

that sounds like my parents haha i'm pretty much in the same thoughts as you

 

[Debashis]

Recognizing efforts with a constructive feedback along with a small reward is really important. It boosts the person's confidence in whatever he/she is doing and motivates them to do even better next time to get a better reward or what they were eyeing for.