Books › Payoff
Payoff
128 pages
An eye-opening exploration of the hidden psychological forces that truly drive us to work, create, and succeed.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like sitting down with a deeply curious behavioral scientist who is eager to dismantle everything you thought you knew about why people do what they do. The pace is brisk and engaging, moving seamlessly from corporate case studies at Intel to the surprising dynamics of a kindergarten classroom. It cultivates an intellectually stimulating and reflective mood, prompting you to constantly reevaluate your own life choices, workplace incentives, and even your relationship with mortality. The prose is clear and accessible, translating complex social psychology into practical insights. It is the perfect read for anyone fascinated by the hidden mechanics of human motivation, offering a thought-provoking journey from common misconceptions to a profound understanding of self-actualization.
- Mood
- intellectually stimulating
- curious
- reflective
- Tone
- inquisitive
- analytical
- accessible
- thought-provoking
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- psychology of motivation · the value of work · trust and productivity · human irrationality · self-actualization
- The writing
- Clear, engaging, and research-driven, translating complex psychological studies into accessible, everyday insights.
- The arc
- Moves from a state of questioning common assumptions about incentives to a deeper, more nuanced understanding of what truly drives human behavior.
- Who it's for
- Readers fascinated by behavioral economics, workplace dynamics, and the hidden psychological forces that shape our daily choices.
Content notes
- discussions of mortality
About the book
"Payoff investigates the true nature of motivation, our partial blindness to the way it works, and how we can bridge this gap. With studies that range from Intel to a kindergarten classroom, Ariely digs deep to find the root of motivation--how it works and how we can use this knowledge to approach important choices in our own lives. Along the way, he explores intriguing questions such as: Can giving employees bonuses harm productivity? Why is trust so crucial for successful motivation? What are our misconceptions about how to value our work? How does your sense of your mortality impact your motivation?"--Baker & Taylor.
Description from Open Library.
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