There are a lot of books about management and motivation.

And I've read a lot of them.

But the best book on motivation I've found is Drive by Daniel Pink. As a (former) game designer I find it fascinating. Daniel talks about how traditional reward schemes (if you reach this target, you will get this reward) are often counter productive.

Why?

External rewards means external motivation.

Performing a task in order to earn a reward focuses you on the reward. But in the right conditions, work-like activity has its' own inherent satisfaction and pleasure.

For example I code for my 9-5, but I also code for fun in my leisure time. In the same way, artists create for the sake of creating. They find more pleasure in the act of creation than when they take a paid commission to create a specific piece. Why?

Internal motivation requires autonomy

Commissioned work enforces guidelines and expectations. It limits artists' freedom to express themselves. And reduces motivation.

Working towards an external reward masks a tasks' inherent reward. It reduces autonomy because the outcome is external.

Outside of repetitive mechanical tasks, rewards that diminish autonomy lead to decreased job satisfaction and higher turnover rates.

Conversely, in jobs requiring creativity, employees who feel more autonomous are more likely to be engaged, satisfied, and productive.

If you are at all interested in motivation and management, I can't recommend this book enough.

(And if you've read it, do you agree? What other book would you recommend for beginners?)