Synopses & Reviews
In their work of two decades with some of the most successful organizations in the world, the authors have witnessed a growing crisis of job dissatisfaction and disengagementwith more than half of workers surveyed saying they are unhappy in their jobs. They decided to dig deeply into why: Analyzing the results of 850,000 interviews conducted with employees about job engagement. They discovered the key difference between those who are happiest and most energized and those who arent: Whether or not their work aligns with what motivates them. For those who are unhappy, their jobs are very often out of whack in some way with what they are most passionate about. But knowing what most motivates us isnt easy. Its often not what our culture tends to emphasize, things like status or money or even using our strengths.
Gostick and Eltons research shows that if people understand better what their motivators really are, they can make some relatively moderate changes within their current work that will make them much more engaged and happier. Unfortunately, most people either misdiagnose whats making them unhappy or feel stuck, believing they have to walk entirely away from what theyre doing to gain satisfactiona scary and daunting prospect.
In What Motivates Me, the authors offer a step-by-step, extensively tested method to identify a persons particular blend of core motivators, and then figure out what disconnects there may be between their passions and their current work situation. Gostick and Elton help all those searching for more joy and success in their work answer two age-old questions: What motivates me?” Then, with that information in hand, What should I do with my life?”
The authors collaborated with doctors Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves, authors of Emotional Intelligence 2.0, to determine the full set of key motivators that drive all of us to some extent in our work, identifying 23 such as autonomy, challenge, creativity, problem-solving, money, making an impact, and developing others. They further discovered that the 23 motivators align into five groups representing identity typesAchievers, Builders, Caregivers, Reward-Driven, and Thinkers. We all have some of these identities in us to differing degrees and with different blends. The authors then developed a personal motivators online testoffered free with the bookto allow individuals to discover which of the 23 motivators they are most driven by and which identities they are most closely aligned to.
After arming readers with a personal assessment profile, the authors next offer a set of exercises designed to help people diagnose where shortfalls exist in their current work (as well as students understand the types of work they should be considering). These thought-provoking and powerful exercises help readers think through whether they should sculpt the job theyre inwith 60 simple but powerful strategiesor if they should sculpt an entirely new career path. For those determined to leap, the authors offer time-tested wisdom about making a successful career transition.
In the authors consulting work with clients from American Express to Proctor and Gamble, AT&T, and Bank of America, they have found this diagnostic process can be remarkably empowering for employees and their managers. It helps people take charge of their careers, and gives them a positive way to discuss small changes with their bosses that make them more engaged and more productive.
Whether readers are looking to reignite their passion in their current job, considering a career change, just starting out in the work world, or in school trying to decide which major or career best fits their passions, this book will help them align the work they do every day, for the rest of their lives, with what truly motivates them.
Review
"Our goal at Bridgestone Americas is to be a Premier Place to Work. The tools and insight Gostick and Elton unveil in this excellent new book provide a step-by-step process that can help anyone bring their best self to work."--
Gary Garfield, CEO and President, Bridgestone Americas, Inc."What Motivates Me offers one of the best resources Ive seen to teach anyone how to unlock their potential and create a roadmap to guide their career journey."--David Kasiarz, Senior Vice President, Global Compensation and Benefits, American Express
"Adrian and Chesters infectious enthusiasm jumps right off the page, as if its grabbing you by your shoulders and shaking you into action. What Motivates Me is a great guide for life, let alone a career path."--Michael Wallace, Anchor, WCBS 880 New York
"A groundbreaking profile to discover who you are your core, and the tools to help you get where you want to go."--Jean Greaves, Bestselling Co-Author, Emotional Intelligence 2.0
Review
"If you feel stalled in your career, read this book!”--
Kent Taylor, CEO and Chairman, Texas Roadhouse"The tools and insight Gostick and Elton unveil in this excellent new book provide a step-by-step process that can help anyone bring their best self to work."--Gary Garfield, CEO and President, Bridgestone Americas, Inc.
Once in a great while a business book comes along that everyone is talking about. Trust me, this is that book."--Mark Servodidio, Managing Director, United Kingdom, Avis Budget Group
"What Motivates Me offers one of the best resources Ive seen to teach anyone how to unlock their potential and create a roadmap to guide their career journey."--David Kasiarz, Senior Vice President, Global Compensation and Benefits, American Express
"A groundbreaking assessment to discover what drives you, and the tools to help you get where you want to go."--Jean Greaves, Bestselling Co-Author, Emotional Intelligence 2.0
Synopsis
What Motivates Me will help readers align the work they do every day, for the rest of their lives, with what truly motivates them. It also includes a code to the Motivators Assessment. This is not a personality test, but a scientifically valid assessment that digs straight to the core of what motivates you at work. The book also features a set of thought-provoking exercises to help readers sculpt their jobs with 60 powerful strategies.
After analyzing the results of 850,000 interviews, the authors sought to discover why so many people are not as engaged and energized as they could be at work. They found those who are happiest and most successful are engaged in work that aligns with what motivates them. What Motivates Me offers an extensively tested method to help readers identify their core motivators and figure out the disconnects between their passions and their current work, and guides all those searching for joy and engagement by asking the important questions - What motivates me?” and What can I do about it?”
About the Author
Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton are the New York Times bestselling authors of The Carrot Principle and All In. They are employee engagement consultants for some of the world's largest companies and founders of The Culture Works, a global training firm. Adrian Gostick lives in Park City, UT, and Chester Elton lives in Summit, NJ.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1. Discovering Your Personal Motivators
Chapter 2. The Motivators Assessment
Chapter 3. 23 Motivators and 5 Identities
Chapter 4. Job Sculpting
Chapter 5. Finding the Right Blend
Chapter 6. Embarking on a Heros Journey
Chapter 7. Making a Good Living. Making a Good Life
Chapter 8. 60 Strategies to Enhance Your Value and Avoid Pitfalls