Payoff Book Summary

In 'Payoff', behavioral economist Dan Ariely delves into the intricacies of human motivation and what truly drives our decisions. Through captivating anecdotes and groundbreaking research, he uncovers the profound impact of intrinsic motivation over monetary rewards. Readers are invited to explore how our desires for meaning, recognition, and social connections often outweigh financial incentives. Ariely challenges conventional wisdom and illuminates the hidden forces behind our choices. This thought-provoking journey leaves us questioning how to harness our understanding of motivation for greater fulfillment in both personal and professional realms.

By Dan Ariely

Published: 2016

"The most powerful motivator is not money, but rather the meaning we attach to our rewards."

Book Review of Payoff

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?

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The most powerful motivator is not money, but rather the meaning we attach to our rewards.

Payoff

By Dan Ariely