• Payoff

  • The Hidden Logic That Shapes Our Motivations
  • By: Dan Ariely
  • Narrated by: Simon Jones
  • Length: 2 hrs and 35 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (2,082 ratings)

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Payoff  By  cover art

Payoff

By: Dan Ariely
Narrated by: Simon Jones
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Publisher's summary

Best-selling author Dan Ariely reveals fascinating new insights into motivation - showing that the subject is far more complex than we ever imagined.

Every day we work hard to motivate ourselves, the people we live with, the people who work for and do business with us. In this way much of what we do can be defined as being motivators. From the boardroom to the living room, our role as motivators is complex, and the more we try to motivate partners and children, friends and coworkers, the clearer it becomes that the story of motivation is far more intricate and fascinating than we've assumed.

Payoff investigates the true nature of motivation, our partial blindness to the way it works, and how we can bridge this gap. With studies that range from Intel to a kindergarten classroom, Ariely digs deep to find the root of motivation - how it works and how we can use this knowledge to approach important choices in our own lives. Along the way he explores intriguing questions such as: Can giving employees bonuses harm productivity? Why is trust so crucial for successful motivation? What are our misconceptions about how to value our work? How does your sense of your mortality impact your motivation?

©2016 Dan Ariely. All rights reserved. (P)2016 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"After immediately drawing listeners in with his reading of Ariely’s riveting first chapter, narrator Simon Jones continues to hold them close with his relaxed diction and skillful handling of this audiobook’s pathos. Jones’s vocal elegance and thorough understanding of the author’s message promote unexpected engagement with Ariely’s extended essay.... Jones’s pleasing voice and tasteful interpretations make this audio a memorable listen for anyone interested in what moves us to do what we do." (AudioFile)

What listeners say about Payoff

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Excellent and engaging

great stories to help explain the facts. thank you very much i truly enjoyed this book.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Too short to really explain things

the take away is probably just money might hurt performance and meaningful work is the best motivation, well duh

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

much of it is in other books or talks he has done.

always good info, to have. I have read everything Dan has we written. Love his stuff.

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Maind blowing

This book is so packed with examples and information that I enjoyed it just as much the second time I heard it! Loved it!

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Good start, but falls short

The book is off to a good start, especially when there is a focus around Ariely´s research with people's motivations and you can find a couple of gems here and there. It builds up and becomes more interesting throughout the first half, but eventually falls flat, goes nowhere and concludes nothing. I was expecting a lot more from this book,

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

short and sweet

great to hear about studies proving what motivates people... and it's not often what your instincts tell you it will be!!

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Great stuff

Had to read this for my MGT class, definitely worth the quick and informative lesson

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Meaning of deeper thinking. Working toward great o

Meaning of deeper thinking. Working toward great discussion of life, or something like that... Stupid IDEA OF REQUIRING A MIN OF WORDS. NOT NEEDED WHEN U CAN GET YOUR IDEA ACROSS QUICKLY

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A good short summary of primary motivation factors

This is a great summary if you have not studied the topic or listened/read other books on motivation. I have consumed many books on the topic, and had heard some of the examples in this book, but I still appreciated this concise review of primary motivation factors (and what is demotivating).

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narrator

The narrator is amazing and involving! He even makes up different tones of voice to highlight some parts of the book. He makes all the difference in the experience of listening to it.

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5 people found this helpful