THE MOTIVE

Shay was still angry but shrugged nonchalantly as if to say, it's not that big of a deal. "So, what am I wrong about?"

"You're not going to want to hear this, but I have to tell you anyway." Liam paused before finishing. "You might be working hard, but you're not doing it for the company."

"What the hell does that mean?" Shay wanted to know.

Knowing that his adversary might punch him for what he was about to say, Liam responded. "You're doing it for yourself."

New York Times best-selling author Patrick Lencioni has written a dozen books that focus on how leaders can build teams and lead organizations. In The Motive, he shifts his attention toward helping them understand the importance of why they're leading in the first place.

In what may be his edgiest page-turner to date, Lencioni thrusts his readers into a day-long conversation between rival CEOs. Shay Davis is the CEO of Golden Gate Alarm, who, after just a year in his role, is beginning to worry about his job and is desperate to figure out how to turn things around. With nowhere else to turn, Shay receives some hard-to-swallow advice from the most unlikely and unwanted source—Liam Alcott, CEO of a more successful security company and his most hated opponent.

Lencioni uses unexpected plot twists and crisp dialogue to take us on a journey that culminates in a resolution that is as unexpected as it is enlightening. As he does in his other books, he then provides a straightforward summary of the lessons from the fable, combining a clear explanation of his theory with practical advice to help executives examine their true motivation for leading. In addition to provoking readers to honestly assess themselves, Lencioni presents action steps for changing their approach in five key areas. In doing so, he helps leaders avoid the pitfalls that stifle their organizations and even hurt the people they are meant to serve.

Praise for The Motive

WHY SO MANY LEADERS ABDICATE THEIR MOST IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES

"The Motive rocked me to my core. A gift for any aspiring CEO, or current one. I wish Pat Lencioni had written this 30 years ago!"
—Jason McCann, CEO, Varidesk

"This may be Pat's best work of fiction yet. His characters are human, and the plot twists and turns kept surprising me. And of course, the lesson about our motives is critical for anyone who leads or wants to lead."
—Elizabeth Bryant, chief learning officer, Southwest Airlines

"A person's motive for leading can eventually determine whether his or her people thrive or suffer. In this quick and engaging story, Pat makes it possible for leaders to understand their motive and get on the right path."
—Henry Cloud, best-selling author, Boundaries, Necessary Endings, and The Power of the Other

"Lencioni does it again! In The Motive, he reveals the 'oh no' and the 'ah ha' about how our motives impact our success. I'm going to have all my new and emerging leaders read it before entering our management development program."
—Amy Bastuga, chief people officer, Radio Flyer

"If you're leading for the wrong reason, it doesn't matter what techniques you use. Every leader, young and old, needs to understand their motive if they want to succeed!"
—Charles Meyers, president and CEO, Equinix

"Pat Lencioni blows up the myth that anyone with ambition can—and should—become a leader. This is a must-read for anyone in leadership."
—Dan Bigman, chief content officer and editor-in-chief, Chief Executive Magazine