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1. J. R. Hunter Says:
   February 4th, 2010 at 11:40 am

   I purchased Dr. Thomas’ book to assist me in my research in leadership behaviors and stakeholder empowerment, and what a great help.

   However, the best part of reading this book, I was forced to remember much of my past training and reignite many of the qualities I had forgetten to practice.

   What a great book, would recommend to anyone interested in understand how and why motivation works.
   Rating: 5 / 5

2. Steven E.Severy, Chairman of the Board, MDS, Inc. Says:
   February 4th, 2010 at 2:20 pm

   “Intrinsic Motovation at Work” is a must read for anyone responsible for managing people. This small book is in reality a giant guide book to help move us from just hanging a carrot out there for employees to chase, to giving them both a bit in their teeth and a hand on the reins.
   Rating: 5 / 5

3. Charents Says:
   February 4th, 2010 at 5:10 pm

   Intrinsic Motivation is one of the better books on leadership and management that I have read recently. Thomas targets both managers and employees, arguing that salaries and other extrinsic rewards are neither the sole nor the primary source of motivation in modern organizations. In fact, monetary compensation is only a factor when making major life decisions (e. g. , whether and when to change jobs) and when there is a question of fairness. The best a manager can hope for, says Thomas, is perceived equity – that those doing the most and the best work are the best compensated. Absent major life decisions and inequities, it is intrinsic rewards that will motivate employees.

   Intrinsic motivation, according to Thomas, means giving employees an understanding of the purpose of the tasks they do and giving them whole tasks whenever possible. Today’s workforce is more highly educated than its forerunners. Competition and the need for quick decision-making have reduced the reliance on middle managers and bureaucratic rulebooks. In this environment, employees must be self-managing and they must have a sense of meaningfulness, choice, competence, and progress in the work that they do. If they feel that they have all four of these factors, employees will feel a great sense of job satisfaction, be highly motivated, and perform well.

   Thomas offers managers and employees suggestions on how to improve in each area if it seems that that factor is lacking. In fact, if an employee is feeling unmotivated, Thomas suggests the employee consider which of the four “vital signs” is weak and address it accordingly. It is important, for example, for employees at all levels to have a personal vision to boost their sense of meaningfulness. Feeling that you have no choice in how you do your work? Negotiate with your boss for more authority or, if all else fails, consider moving to another job that provides more choice. A sense of competence comes from training and learning, but it also comes from patting oneself on the back for a job well done. Progress can be measured in a number of ways, but one of the best is through contact with customers.

   Thomas’s book is only an overview into each of these areas. He intends Intrinsic Motivation to be an all-encompassing model of employee motivation, and he generally succeeds. Those seeking more details would need to use Thomas’s notes to find articles and books on individual subjects discussed within the book. And it is a shame that while Thomas characterizes outdated management styles as “paternalistic” he uses analogies of parents and children when describing intrinsic motivation. Overall, however, Intrinsic Motivation is a healthy reminder to both managers and workers that there are many steps we can take to improve employee morale and productivity. More money is better than less, Thomas agrees, but a true sense of purpose and worth can be priceless.
   Rating: 5 / 5

4. Anonymous Says:
   February 4th, 2010 at 6:14 pm

   Ken Thomas is a gifted writer who uses an informal and entertaining style. However his message is important and insightful. This book is fun to read and can definitely help improve our work experience and that of our associates. In addition to being a gifted writer, he is a serious and respected scholar. This book is the culmination of years of research and thought about intrinsic motivation – a topic which the author clearly believes is critical for personal fulfillment and meaning at work. This book helps us to understand the specific intrinsic rewards that are available through our work – and how to experience these rewards more fully. He provides a diagnostic framework exploring what is needed to enhance intrinsic motivation. In summary, this is an important book. We spend a lot of time working – shouldn’t this time itself be intrinsically rewarding? Ken Thomas’s research and insights show us how to experience our work life as rewarding and fulfilling – his ideas will help ignite all the passion and energy our work can provide. Read this enjoyable and valuable book.
   Rating: 5 / 5

5. Anonymous Says:
   February 4th, 2010 at 7:48 pm

   None of the books I’ve read on modern management and personal fulfillment cut to the core of what REALLY matters like this one does. Reading it felt like looking inside myself – at the way I work and what I think about my job – and finally making sense of it. I have no doubt that this book will have a huge impact on my work performance and satisfaction, and it will also make me a much better team player and leader. And, at around 100 pages, Dr. Thomas includes what matters (in an easy-read style) without wasting any of your time.
   Rating: 5 / 5

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