Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us (Daniel H. Pink)
Recommended by Jesse Owens II from the episode on career strategy, Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates US explains how we can effectively motivate ourselves and others by understanding extrinsic and intrinsic motivation.
What is extrinsic and intrinsic motivation? Our modern working culture is based on the extrinsic motivation (Motivation 2.0), which is reward and punishment (carrot and stick) to achieve results, reinforce behavior and manage employees. The author says that this approach does not result in motivated or happy employees. He instead suggests that there’s a better way – Motivation 3.0. This is when a person finds their jobs rewarding and no other reward is necessary but at the same time have control over when, what and how they work. Read this book to get a better understanding of what drives our motivation.
Driven: How Human Nature Shapes Our Choices (Paul Lawrence and Nitin Nohria)
Driven references the 4 biological drives that impact our behavior. These drives are inherited from our early ancestors but have evolved and cause us to behave in unusual ways in a modern world. These 4 basic motivations are:
- The drive to acquire motivates us to compete.
- The drive to bond motivates us to be part of a group.
- The drive to learn motivates us to fill the “information gap”.
- The drive to defend.
The book provides examples how all 4 drives have a good side and a bad side. I liked reading the book because provided another viewpoint from a biological standpoint the motivations behind people’s behavior. It was also insightful on how they can be used to our advantage in a business or our career.
Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action (Simon Sinek)
What’s your “Why”? This book explains the reason most of us don’t find the tasks that fulfill us is because we do not look at or know what gives our lives a deeper meaning. One that is unique to us.
This book is for anyone who wants to uncover their “Why”.
The Art of Work: A Proven Path to Discovering What You Were Meant to Do (Jeff Goins)
There are many people who struggle to get out of bed in the mornings because they’re not happy about going to work or about the work that they’re doing. The Art of Work suggests the reason for this is because many people haven’t found their calling – the reason we strive to achieve. This book discusses the benefits of finding your calling and is a good read for anyone looking to find more meaning in their career and ambitions.
Community Pick
Getting Naked: A Business Fable about Shedding the Three Fears That Sabotage Client Loyalty (Patrick Lencioni)
Taking book recommendation for our “Community Pick” selection in our bi-monthly book list. What’s your suggestion? #Cofreads #carryonfriends
— Carry On Friends (@CarryOnFriends) February 22, 2017
Getting Naked. By Pat Lencioni. Dope book for consultants or any one in customer service. https://t.co/FKX81m2xQl
— Big Therm (@ema_Therm) February 22, 2017
Thanks @ema_Therm adding it to the list! https://t.co/1keFn6hYWL
— Carry On Friends (@CarryOnFriends) February 22, 2017
I really, really enjoyed listening to Getting Naked: A Business Fable! I chose to get the book via Overdrive from the library and the only available copy was the audio book version. Although the title suggested it, I really didn’t pay attention until I got past the introduction. (Nope I’m not gonna say it. I wanna see if you’ll have the same reaction. 🙂 )
When it comes to clients, vulnerability is a powerful tool to build trust. According to the author, those who are comfortable with being vulnerable, or as the author defines as “naked” are rewarded with client loyalty that other service providers can only dream of.
The book argues that when we understand the difference between vulnerability and competence, we will realize there’s that there’s no such thing as being too vulnerable. But we are humans and are conditioned to not let anyone see us sweat.
The book and the format makes it easy to remember the lessons about the three fears that sabotage client loyalty which are:
- The Fear of losing the business
- The Fear of being embarrassed and looking stupid in front of the clients
- The Fear of feeling inferior to their clients
As Therm suggested, Getting Naked is a really good, especially for anyone who provides expertise, ongoing relationship advice or consulting services to a customer.
What book(s) are you reading now? Don’t forget to suggest a book and until next time, Read and Carry On…
