Progress Principle: Post #1--Overview

Overview: At work, what do people really want? After extensive research, these two distinguished professors at Harvard conclude that people want to make progress toward meaningful work every day.  Such progress gets enhanced or thwarted by employees’ emotions, perceptions, and motivations (inner work life). Further, their inner work life is directly affected by their managers’ inner work life.  Effective leaders provide greater possibilities for progress by providing catalysts and nourishers, and prevent setbacks by removing inhibitors and toxins. The authors conclude that keeping a daily journal to record and reflect on one event (good or bad) that stands out will aid perceptions, emotions, and motivators and enhance inner work life. Great advice going forward for any leader!

The Progress Principle: Using Small Wins to Ignite Joy, Engagement, and Creativity at Work (Harvard Business Press, 2011) by Teresa Amabile and Steve Kramer, reviewed by 
Steve Gladis, Ph.D.