The Motivation Myth: the simple yet powerful key to unlock human potential and create inspired performance and achievement

by Mattison Grey, Mattison Grey

The Motivation the simple yet powerful key to unlock human potential and create inspired performance and achievement Most people believe praise, appreciation, and compliments are great ways to motivate and inspire people. Many think these communication tools are good people skills and are useful everywhere ~ from parenting to the boardroom, from friendship to leadership, from relationships to coaching. People mistakenly believe these tools are the keys to unlock human potential. That is a myth, says Mattison Grey and Jonathan Manske. Praise, compliments, and appreciation do not do what people think they do. They do not unlock human potential. In this provocative and compelling book, Grey and Manske debunk the myth that performance, achievement, confidence, and connection ~ at work, at school, and at home ~ are improved by these communication tools. Fortunately, there is an alternative, acknowledgement. This communication tool is the cure for underperformance, lack of self-confidence, and ineffective motivation techniques. Grey and Manske have seen it over and over again ~ acknowledgement changes lives!Acknowledgement effectively produces the results ~ increased performance, motivation and inspiration, and improved self-confidence ~ these other communication tools try to accomplish but do not. The Motivation Myth draws on scientific research, anecdotal stories from interesting people, and thirty-five plus years of combined experience in using and teaching the tool of acknowledgement. Grey and Manske reveal the simple yet effective communication tool of acknowledgment and how to work with it to motivate and inspire with integrity and grace. Acknowledgement is the invisible language of results! Table of Contents1 ~ Introduction 2 ~ Why I Wrote This Book 3 ~ The Myth 4 ~ Compliments, Praise, And Appreciation Do Not Work 5 ~ Acknowledgement ~ What It Is And What It Is Not6 ~ How To Acknowledge 7 ~ Acknowledgement As Feedback8 ~ Self-Acknowledgement9 ~ Using Acknowledgement In Team Meetings10 ~ Acknowledgement In Leadership11 ~ Acknowledgement In Sports12 ~ Acknowledgement In Parenting13 ~ Acknowledgement In Relationships14 ~ Acknowledgement In Sales15 ~ Acknowledgement In Peak Performance16 ~ Because You Can

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Self Help

190 pages, Paperback

First published January 3, 2012

Reviews

[Juliette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone knows about the criticism sandwich. You praise, give constructive criticism, then you praise again. Well, it's gotten to the point that in my home whenever I praise the other person waits to hear what they did wrong without ever listening to the praise. So when there is just praise, it's not heard.
The idea of "Acknowlegdment" which this book is focused on, is interesting and simple. I'm an old dog, so using this tool is a little difficult at first. While the idea is laid out well, I wish there were more examples. I would have liked to read the transcript of a meeting that utilized acknowlegdment, but I guess I will have to trial and error the concept myself.
What I have done so far is difficult, especially when I'm around other adults. If I say to a child "You picked up your toys!" Another adult will look at me strangely and then say "What a great job!" My husband is aware of what I'm doing now, but my co-workers don't get it, and I'm not sure how to handle it.

[D · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only read this because I got a free copy, and I wasn't very impressed. If you're looking for an extremely popular book about breaking down huge tasks into small and achievable goals, I recommend Atomic Habits -- it's far better written and the author is much more relatable.

[Mohammad Mohammad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it

[Dave Donahoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chapter 10: Acknowledgement in Leadership is worth the price of admission

[Terri Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

All about the power of acknowledgement. Every student, teacher, employer and parent should read this. So simple, yet so amazingly profound. Take the time and learn this simple and powerful way to improve all of your relationships.

[Horace · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can't wait for motivation to motivate you. You just start. You break down your big goal into little, daily tasks. As you accomplish little things, you'll end up motivated to do more, as you do more, you'll feel even more accomplished and then even more motivated.