In The Motive, New York Times bestselling author Patrick Lencioni reveals the four universal desires that motivate every individual, and he shows how understanding these desires can be the key to unlocking greater levels of engagement and performance in leaders and their teams.
Lencioni has found that the vast majority of leadership problems are actually symptoms of a deeper, underlying issue: the leader’s inability to satisfy one or more of the four universal desires that motivate every single human being. When these desires are not met, individuals will naturally disengage and become less productive, regardless of their position or level of seniority.
The Motive provides a simple yet powerful framework that leaders can use to get to the root of their organizations’ challenges and unleash the engagement and alignment necessary to achieve breakthrough results.
Table of Contents:
1. Introduction
2. The Motive
3. The Three Types of Responsibility
4. The Five Dysfunctions of Team
5. The Five Temptations of a CEO
6. The Four Decisions of a Leader
7. The Three Signs of a Misfiring Employee
8. The Three Questions to Ask Yourself
9. The Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team
10. Conclusion
1. Introduction:
In The Motive, the authors explore the reasons why leaders abdicate their responsibilities and provide tips on how to avoid this trap. The book is written for anyone in a leadership position or anyone who aspires to be a leader. The book is divided into three parts: The Motive, The Three Types of Responsibility, and The Five Dysfunctions of a Team.
2. The Motive:
The Motive is the first part of the book and it explores the reasons why leaders abdicate their responsibilities. The authors identify three main reasons why leaders abdicate their responsibilities:
1. Fear of failure
2. Fear of conflict
3. Fear of looking bad
3. The Three Types of Responsibility:
The second part of the book explores the three types of responsibility that leaders have:
1. Responsibility to oneself
2. Responsibility to others
3. Responsibility to the organization
4. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team:
The third part of the book explores the five dysfunctions of a team:
1. Absence of trust
2. Fear of conflict
3. Lack of commitment
4. Avoidance of accountability
5. Inattention to results
5. The Five Temptations of a CEO:
The fourth part of the book explores the five temptations of a CEO:
1. The temptation to do everything
2. The temptation to be the star
3. The temptation to be the boss
4. The temptation to micromanage
5. The temptation to be the expert
6. The Four Decisions of a Leader:
The fifth part of the book explores the four decisions of a leader:
1. What to do
2. What to say
3. How to say it
4. Who to say it to
7. The Three Signs of a Misfiring Employee:
The sixth part of the book explores the three signs of a misfiring employee:
1. They’re not meeting expectations
2. They’re not a good fit for the team
3. They’re not coachable
8. The Three Questions to Ask Yourself:
The seventh part of the book explores the three questions to ask yourself:
1. What am I trying to achieve?
2. What are my priorities?
3. What is my timeline?
9. The Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team:
The eighth part of the book explores the five behaviors of a cohesive team:
1. They trust each other
2. They engage in healthy conflict
3. They commit to decisions
4. They hold each other accountable
5. They focus on results
10. Conclusion
The Motive is a must-read for any leader who wants to overcome the fear that stands in the way of great leadership. By understanding the root cause of the problem, and armed with the practical guidance in this book, you can make the tough choices and difficult decisions that are necessary for success.