Flipping the R's India - 4April 2025

Why does Partha say companies should "Flip the R's"?

• To reduce R&R budgets

• To automate recognition

• Because recognition, not rewards drives engagement and culture

• Because rewards are no longer appreciated

What does “Flipping the R’s” really mean for how companies should approach recognition and rewards?

• Stop using rewards altogether

• Use rewards more sparingly to save budget

• Focus on recognition first, with rewards as one way to express it

• Make recognition optional and rewards mandatory

What is a common issue Partha highlights in how most companies approach R&R?

• Too much focus on reward catalogs and budgets

• Focus is only on measuring happiness

• Overuse of peer recognition

• Managers giving too many rewards

According to Partha, what kind of motivation does recognition tap into?

• Extrinsic motivation

• Transactional motivation

• Monetary motivation

• Intrinsic motivation

In the Flipping the R's philosophy, what's the primary purpose of recognition?

• To reduce attrition

• To make people feel seen and appreciated

• To encourage competition

• To replace performance reviews

Why does Partha say R&R programs often don’t scale well?

• Employees forget about rewards quickly

• They are designed around annual events

• Recognition is seen as optional

• Once the reward budget runs out, the program halts

Why does Partha compare giving flowers at dinner to recognition?

• Flowers are cheaper than cash

• You can't go wrong with flowers

• Small, thoughtful acts often matter more than the amount spent

• Gifts should always be symbolic

What can go wrong if only middle managers run the R&R program?

• Too many rewards may be given

• The program may lose visibility and impact

• HR will lose control of the program

• Budgets may not be used fully

What change in society supports the need for more recognition at work?

• People work harder than before

• Positive feedback is replacing punishment in schools and homes

• Remote work makes rewards harder

• Generational attitudes are changing

How does recognition connect to social media behavior?

• People ignore recognition just like social media likes

• Public praise feels awkward

• Getting recognized at work feels like getting likes or shares online

• Recognition should only happen on social media