Lessons From Late Antiquity: Do Short-Term Incentives Undermine Long-Term Goals

Introduction

Merovech stood in horror on the beautiful green hill, his vision blurry not from the intensity of the battle he had just fought, but from the horror he had just witnessed. Among the broken pieces scattered before him, he could not distinguish between the fragments of the vase and the remains of his friend’s shattered skull. The thrill of victory and the promise of a prosperous future for their tribe were overshadowed by the gruesome scene. In an instant, all his beliefs were shattered, much like the Vase of Soissons.

It was 486 AD, on the field of Soissons, after the final Frankish battle against the remnants of the Roman Empire.

Life of a Soldier in the Early Frankish State

Merovech was a typical soldier of his time, living during the twilight of the Roman Empire and the dawn of the medieval era. As some forces and empires waned, new ones like the Frankish tribe emerged, driven by hopes of future greatness. Born into a military family, Merovech was raised on values of bravery, loyalty, and martial prowess. He dreamt of his tribe becoming the strongest in the known world and eagerly fought in every battle to honor his ancestors and comrades.

His best friend, Sunno, was simila”ly a’soldier raised in a military family. While Merovech was motivated by the future greatness of their empire, Sunno was fixated on the stories of booty acquired by soldiers, particularly the gold and riches plundered from the falling Roman cities.

Before the Battle

The day before the Battle of Soissons was momentous. Merovech and Sunno were prepared to face the last stronghold of the Roman governor Syagrius, the final obstacle to the Franks’ dominance in Europe. Merovech envisioned a future of prosperity and celebration with his friends and family. For him, the payment after the battle was merely recognition of a job well done. For Sunno, however, the focus was solely on the riches to be divided after the battle.

The Battle

Before the battle, the tribe gathered to hear an inspiring speech from their leader, Clovis. They trusted Clovis, who had led them to many victories. He was not a dictator but one of them, committed to the common goal of building a great empire.

The battle began, and they fought fiercely, emerging victorious. Merovech, relieved that many of his friends survived, eagerly sought out Sunno to share the moment of triumph.

But Sunno, fixated on loot, ran through the fields and the nearby city, gathering as much treasure as he could. In a local church, he found a beautiful vase and took it. Laden with his spoils, he encountered a horseman who insisted on speaking with him. The horseman, who revealed himself as Clovis, demanded the vase, which he had promised to recover for Bishop Remigius. Sunno refused, claiming it as his own. The argument escalated, and in a fit of rage, Sunno smashed the vase with his axe. Enraged, Clovis swung his own axe and killed Sunno with a single blow.

A stunned silence fell over the crowd. This unprecedented act shattered the sense of camaraderie and high ideals Merovech held dear. The desire for a piece of pottery had overshadowed the lofty goals of building a prosperous future.

Effect on the Future

The legend says it that it was this very moment that marked the beginning of a new era in Europe. The camaraderie and collectivism of the military-tribal system gave way to a society dominated by hierarchical class distinctions. Feudalism began to take root in Europe.

Was this inevitable? Did the increasing availability of riches to a once poor and self-reliant tribe lead to this shift?

Can You Be Motivated by Incentives?

This question brings us to the present and the discussion on how incentives influence our decisions. This story exemplifies a concept from Alfie Kohn’s classic article, “Why Incentive Plans Cannot Work.”

Among many golden nuggets in this article, among others, Kohn asks:

“Do rewards motivate people?”

And the answer invariably comes as: “Absolutely!”

But then there is a caveat: “They motivate people to get rewards.”

In this story, we see how Sunno’s short term thinking and short term motivation and his focus on immediate reward led to the destruction of something that was built for centuries, never to return.

Was Sunno motivated?

Yes, he was. He was motivated to get the gold. He was not motivated to create lasting value for everyone, and ultimately, as appears neither was Clovis.

So, who truly built the greatness of the Empire? Soldiers like Merovech or Sunno?

And if we forward it to the future, who builds great companies and societies?

It is intrinsically motivated people, those motivated by the end goals, by something higher and more valuable than the mere short term incentives.