What really sets the best managers above the rest? It's their power to build a cadre of
employees who have great inner work lives-consistently positive emotions strong motivation
and favorable perceptions of the organization their work and their colleagues. The worst
managers undermine inner work life often unwittingly. As Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer
explain in The Progress Principle seemingly mundane workday events can make or break
employees' inner work lives. But it's forward momentum in meaningful work-progress-that creates
the best inner work lives. Through rigorous analysis of nearly 12 000 diary entries provided by
238 employees in 7 companies the authors explain how managers can foster progress and enhance
inner work life every day. The book shows how to remove obstacles to progress including
meaningless tasks and toxic relationships. It also explains how to activate two forces that
enable progress: (1) catalysts-events that directly facilitate project work such as clear
goals and autonomy-and (2) nourishers-interpersonal events that uplift workers including
encouragement and demonstrations of respect and collegiality. Brimming with honest examples
from the companies studied The Progress Principle equips aspiring and seasoned leaders alike
with the insights they need to maximize their people's performance.
