The Motive

THE MOTIVE: Why So Many Leaders Abdicate Their Most Important Responsibilities 

by Patrick Lencioni

Most leadership advice focuses on skills and tactics, but none of that matters until you answer a more fundamental question: why do you want to lead? In this book, Patrick Lencioni uses a leadership fable to reveal 2 leadership motives and shows how your reason for leading determines whether you embrace or avoid 5 critical responsibilities that directly impact your team and organization.

In this summary, you’ll learn: 

• The 2 leadership motives (reward-centered vs responsibility-centered), why they affect leaders’ behaviors and results, and how to recognize which motive drives your behavior.
• How 5 critical responsibilities (team development, managing people, holding difficult conversations, running meetings, and constant communication) separate effective leaders from those who avoid the hardest parts of the job.
• How to do self-assessment of your leadership motive, stay on course over time, and become the leader your team needs.

Who should read this:

• Leaders and managers who’re avoiding uncomfortable duties like managing people, running meetings, and having awkward conversations.
• Anyone considering a leadership role who wants to understand what it truly requires.
• Coaches, HR professionals, and trainers working with leaders and leadership teams.