Your Assumptions About ‘Motivation’ Could Be Wrong

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Corporate hallways and lunchrooms are often festooned with “motivational” wall posters. The idea seems to be that clichés enhance comradeship and performance.

Military drill instructors scream at recruits, apparently assuming that insults and humiliation are inspiring.

Motivation can come from many sources.

A tyrannical manager may “motivate” people to work killer hours that ruin health and family life and actually jeopardize productivity.

Alternatively, a thoughtful leader can...