Reward and recognition: How money can work as a de-motivator

In his 2008 book Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions, author Dan Ariely argued that money is very often the most expensive way to motivate people. I’d like to go one step further by arguing that money is also the most expensive, and surprisingly effective, way to demotivate people.

Consider the following scenario. You have been asked to give a guest talk at a business event. You reschedule your diary ...