Tremble Factor

Economist Paul Rosenstein-Rodan shares a compelling insight about accountability through ancient Roman engineering practices. ==When construction of a Roman arch was completed, the engineer responsible for its design would stand directly beneath it as the scaffolding was removed. This “tremble factor,”== as Rosenstein-Rodan calls it, ensured the engineer had a deeply personal stake in the quality of his work – if the arch failed, he would be the first casualty. It’s no wonder that so many Roman arches still stand today, a testament to how powerful true accountability can be when your life literally depends on your work.