Trap: Drift to Low Performance Source: The balancing feedback loop that should keep the system state at an acceptable level being overwhelmed by a reinforcing feedback loop heading downhill. (The balancing feedback loop that should keep the system state at an acceptable level is overwhelmed by a reinforcing feedback loop heading downhill.) The Way Out - Keep performance standards absolute - Set up a drift towards high performance -- let standards be enhanced by the best actual performances instead of being discouraged by the worst