Why Motivating People Doesn't Work . . . and What Does: The New Science of Leading, Energizing, and Engaging

Top consultant, trainer, and coach Susan Fowler says stop trying to motivate people! Motivating people is frustrating for everyone involved, and it just doesn t work. You can t motivate people they are already motivated, but generally in superficial and short-term ways. Applying recent, often surprising psychological discoveries, Fowler lays out a tested model and course of action that will help leaders guide their people toward motivation that not only increases productivity and engagement but gives them a profound sense of purpose and fulfillment. Fowler argues that leaders still depend on traditional carrot-and-stick techniques because they haven t understood their alternatives and don t know what skills are necessary to apply the new science of motivation. Her Optimal Motivation process shows leaders how to move people away from dependence on external rewards and help them discover how their jobs can meet their deeper psychological needs for autonomy, relatedness, and competence that science tells us result in meaningful and sustainable motivation. Susan Fowler's book is the groundbreaking answer for leaders who want to get motivation right."