20 December The Temptation to Do Good (...optimize...)

[Paul Terlemezian]

If the same effort (expenditure) would produce 10% improvement in 10 people or 50% improvement in two people - which would you choose?

 

In other words does it make more sense to allocate limited resources to where it can do the most good or do we need to spread the resources out independent of likelihood for success?

 

What is more likely?

 

1. Developing a training program that will improve everyone's performance by 10%

 

or

 

2. Focusing resources on those that have demonstrated the need and ability to improve when supported?

 

Are there legal, cultural and logistical barriers that influence your choice?

 

How can those barriers be overcome?