As long as there is a legitimate way to measure this '50% better' and the resultant value, and everyone else has an opportunity to perform at this level, reject

As long as there is a legitimate way to measure this '50% better' and the resultant value, and everyone else has an opportunity to perform at this level, reject it or concede they are unable I suspect few will have an issue. On the other hand if its an arbitary, political or a self appointed measure I can imagine collegues could have a problem. Sales is one area where measures are somewhat possible. For instance if a salesperson is consistently doing 2 million while collegues do 1 he or she is better in that quarter and is automatically compensated better because of commissions. Collegues far from having have a problem celebrate the achievements and aspire themselves. Similarly if someone closes a deal in half the time of the typical deal cycle then they could be considered to be better. They will close more revenue and get more commissions. But it is important to point out its not the people but the performance being measured that is better and if you can do this as clinically in other fields compensation can be designed to automatically reward performance.