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Episode 69

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Published on:

9th Oct 2026

Quick Spoon: What are we rewarding?

At work, are we always rewarding what really matters?

In this Quick Spoon, Dr Ryan Kemp talks about the different forms of reward we experience at work, pay, bonuses, praise, recognition and positive feedback and asks what happens when we derive that pleasure too quickly.

It got me thinking about the pull of the quick win: getting something done, receiving the praise, solving the immediate problem or choosing the option that gives us the quickest sense of satisfaction.

Sometimes that's exactly what we need.

But sometimes the thing that feels most rewarding right now isn't necessarily the thing that matters most in the longer term.

So here's the question:

What is this moving me towards — and how might it matter in the long term?

This Quick Spoon comes from my conversation with Dr Ryan Kemp about addiction, work, culture and the pull of the immediate.

🎧 Listen to the full conversation: The culture of now: Ryan Kemp on addiction, work and what we reward.

People Soup: Real conversations about work, leadership, and being human — grounded in behavioural science, with practical ideas you can actually use.

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Transcript
[:

[00:00:26] Ross: Hi there, and welcome to People Soup Quick Spoon, real [00:00:30] conversations about work, leadership, and being human. I'm Ross McIntosh, and here's your Quick Spoon. I think that's an interesting question from Ryan for both [00:00:40] work and for leadership. We tend to think of reward as a good thing, and of course it is. But what happens when we're constantly looking for the quick win, the [00:00:50] quick hit of praise, the positive feedback, that feeling that we've got something done?

[:

[00:01:17]

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About the Podcast

People Soup
Real conversations about work, leadership and being human.
Grounded in behavioural science, with practical ideas you can actually use.

The name People Soup comes from a quote by Abraham Maslow:

"A first-rate soup is more creative than a second-rate painting."

I've always loved that idea because creativity isn't confined to art. It shows up in how we live, work, lead and relate to one another.

Work often feels like a soup: a rich, sometimes bewildering mix of people, personalities, decisions, pressures, relationships and unexpected challenges. Every day we're trying to make sense of the ingredients in front of us.

Behavioural science doesn't make work simple, but it does give us better ways of responding to complexity. It offers practical ideas, evidence-based tools and skills that help us respond more effectively—to ourselves, to other people and to the situations we face.

That's what People Soup is all about.

Whether it's a conversation with a guest or a short solo episode, People Soup explores how behavioural science—and particularly Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)—can help us lead and work with greater intention, developing the psychological flexibility and practical wisdom to navigate whatever life throws our way.

About your host

Profile picture for Ross McIntosh

Ross McIntosh

I'm Ross McIntosh, a business psychologist, coach and facilitator, with over 30 years' experience helping people thrive at work.

People Soup grew from a simple belief: work is an important part of life, but it doesn't have to come at the expense of our wellbeing, our relationships or our values.

Each episode explores the realities of work, leadership and being human through the lens of behavioural science. Sometimes that's a conversation with an inspiring guest. Sometimes it's a short "Quick Spoon" offering a practical idea you can put into practice straight away.

My work is grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), an evidence-based approach that helps people develop psychological flexibility: the ability to stay purposeful, adaptable and effective, even when life gets messy.

Whether you're leading a team, supporting others, or simply trying to navigate the pressures of modern work, my hope is that People Soup gives you practical tools, fresh perspectives and the confidence to take your next meaningful step.

A few things about me
Chartered Fellow of the CIPD.
Fellow of the Association for Coaching.
Research collaborator with City St George's, University of London.
Speaker, facilitator and leadership development consultant.
Founder and Host of the People Soup podcast.

When I'm not recording the podcast or working with clients, you'll usually find me reading, cycling, improving my Spanish, or enjoying life in southern Spain with my husband.