Payoff: The Hidden Logic That Shapes Our Motivations (TED Books)

Bestselling author Dan Ariely reveals fascinating new insights into motivation--showing that the subject is far more complex than we ever imagined. Every day we work hard to motivate ourselves, the people we live with, the people who work for and do business with us. In this way, much of what we do can be defined as being "motivators." From the boardroom to the living room, our role as motivators is complex, and the more we try to motivate partners and children, friends and coworkers, the clearer it becomes that the story of motivation is far more intricate and fascinating than we've assumed. 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? 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. Introduction: From Tragedy To Meaning And Motivation: On The Complexity Of Motivation, And A Personal Story -- How To Destroy Motivation, Or: Work As A Prison Movie: Why It's Astonishingly Easy To Demotivate Someone -- The Joy Of (even Thinking That We Are) Making Something: On Our Deep Attachment To Our Own Ideas And Creations -- Money Is From Mars, Pizza Is From Venus, And Compliments Are From Jupiter: Why Money Matters Far Less Than We Think -- On Death, Relationships, And Meaning: The Crazy Urge For Symbolic Immortality, And How Love Conquers All -- Epilogue: The Answer To The Ultimate Question: The Mystery Of Motivation, In Summary. Dan Ariely ; Illustrations By Matt R. Trower. Portions Of This Book Have Been Adapted From Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions (new York: Harpercollins, 2009); The Upside Of Irrationality: The Unexpected Benefits Of Defying Logic At Work And Home (new York: Harpercollins, 2010); And Dan Ariely's October 2012 Ted Talk, What Makes Us Feel Good About Our Eork? -- Verso. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 108-109).