Rewards Boost Good Feelings

If given genuinely, interpersonal recognition, group celebration and positive feedback improve internal, unobservable aspects of people. They make you feel better. This is a worthwhile outcome by itself. Plus, it’s likely that safety-related behaviors will be indirectly improved.
Let me explain by asking: How do you feel after being rewarded for exemplary performance?
• Do you get a boost of self-esteem? Feel better about yourself?
• Do you feel more competent at the task singled out for reward?
• Are you more optimistic you’ll be successful in the future?
• Do you sense a greater degree of personal control over the activity?
• Do you feel more connected to other team members?
According to substantial psychological research, when any of these internal feelings is increased, a person’s willingness to look out for the welfare of others is also increased. So whether or not a reward increases the behavior it follows, it is apt to improve one or more feeling states that make people more likely to actively care about the safety of others.