The Motive
by Patrick Lencioni
Lencioni's shortest fable asks why you want to lead: for the reward or for the responsibility. Reward-centered leaders avoid the unpleasant parts, developing people, hard conversations, running meetings, managing the team, and the book argues that avoiding them is abdication. It is sharp and uncomfortable for the right reader.
Read it if…
you avoid the tedious parts of leading and tell yourself they are beneath you.
Skip it if…
you want tactics; this is about motive.
Three things you will actually use
- Leadership is a responsibility, not a reward.
- The unpleasant parts are the job.
- If you will not do them, step aside.
Do this first
List the five responsibilities and mark which you delegate or avoid; take one back.
Our verdict
Short, sharp and uncomfortable.
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