Kerr’s Folly & Indian Hockey

Last evening, as India slipped out of Hockey World Cup contention, I thought back to the celebrations after our Pakistan win. The rewards felt generous, yet unsettling. A classic case of Kerr’s Folly, undermining teamwork in a team sport.

Reward Systems – Is “Kerr’s Folly” Alive?

I have seen how well-intentioned reward systems quietly derail performance. When incentives focus on visible activity instead of outcomes, people optimise for points, not purpose. Kerr’s Folly reminds us that what we reward shapes behaviour more than what we value.