• Payoff

  • The Hidden Logic That Shapes Our Motivations
  • By: Dan Ariely
  • Narrated by: Simon Jones
  • Length: 2 hrs and 35 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (2,080 ratings)

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Payoff  By  cover art

Payoff

By: Dan Ariely
Narrated by: Simon Jones
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Publisher's summary

Best-selling author Dan Ariely reveals fascinating new insights into motivation - showing that the subject is far more complex than we ever imagined.

Every day we work hard to motivate ourselves, the people we live with, the people who work for and do business with us. In this way much of what we do can be defined as being motivators. From the boardroom to the living room, our role as motivators is complex, and the more we try to motivate partners and children, friends and coworkers, the clearer it becomes that the story of motivation is far more intricate and fascinating than we've assumed.

Payoff investigates the true nature of motivation, our partial blindness to the way it works, and how we can bridge this gap. With studies that range from Intel to a kindergarten classroom, Ariely digs deep to find the root of motivation - how it works and how we can use this knowledge to approach important choices in our own lives. Along the way he explores intriguing questions such as: Can giving employees bonuses harm productivity? Why is trust so crucial for successful motivation? What are our misconceptions about how to value our work? How does your sense of your mortality impact your motivation?

©2016 Dan Ariely. All rights reserved. (P)2016 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"After immediately drawing listeners in with his reading of Ariely’s riveting first chapter, narrator Simon Jones continues to hold them close with his relaxed diction and skillful handling of this audiobook’s pathos. Jones’s vocal elegance and thorough understanding of the author’s message promote unexpected engagement with Ariely’s extended essay.... Jones’s pleasing voice and tasteful interpretations make this audio a memorable listen for anyone interested in what moves us to do what we do." (AudioFile)

What listeners say about Payoff

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Excellent Tips on Motivating People

If you've read other books or seen TED Talks by Dan Ariely, much of the content is familiar. This is a short, concise book focused on motivation. I still enjoyed the book because it provided good anecdotes and research on motivation, and it's a good reminder to not do the wrong things that will demotivate people. For example, cash isn't effective at motivating people long term. It may work once or twice, but they come to expect it and productivity actually declines below the level prior to the cash rewards. Ignoring and dismissing people's work (such as canceling a project) are motivation killers. Authentic appreciation of people's work is a good motivator. The list goes on and on.

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35 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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Not worth the read

Would you try another book from Dan Ariely and/or Simon Jones?

Superficial. Not in the same league as Dan Ariely's other excellent books.

What was most disappointing about Dan Ariely’s story?

Superficial treatment of the topic. The whole book seemed hurried. More like the typical business digest fluff.

Have you listened to any of Simon Jones’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment

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28 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Love Ariely, but rehash of old stories

I'm a huge Dan Ariely fan. Unfortunately, he tells many of the same stories here that he always tells. I enjoyed, but not 100% for me.

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26 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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If You Haven’t Read His Other Work

I agree with some of the other reviewers. If you’ve read his other books, etc or have picked up other experts published work in this area, it may feel like nothing new. Always a good reminder of what is out there in terms of principle and ideas. Nice little read for someone just getting started or introduced to his content.

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24 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Love Dan Ariely, book was mostly a review

I read all of Dan Ariely's books and really enjoy the content. This was great information, but mostly the same as already covered in previous books.

The reader is fantastic, by the way.

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13 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A big fan of Dr Ariely!

I read all his books, and still I loved 'Payoff' very much! Some may said that this book is mix of his previous works, but its emphasis is much more focused on human motivations and his way of storytelling is extremely unique and enjoyable! Keep them coming Dr Ariely! Also, I LUV the narrator! He is just SO good......!

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11 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

mostly a rehash of the same content

If you have listened to or read Dan's other books you won't get much new from this one. However I still enjoyed it, just not as much as his other books.

Narration was great, zero complaints there.

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9 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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the stories are nice

The book is kind of a long winded way of reiterating that intrinsic motivation is stronger than extrinsic motivation which is something you learn in an intro psych class; but the stories are nice :)

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6 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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narrator

The narrator is amazing and involving! He even makes up different tones of voice to highlight some parts of the book. He makes all the difference in the experience of listening to it.

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5 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great insights into what motivates and demotivates

It is rather astonishing that despite all the progress we as humans made, there is still a lot to learn about the mind.
Nevertheless, this book provides great insights into what motivates and demotivates people.

Note about after death: as a Muslim, I do not care about how people remember me, as long as I do good and go to heaven.
I sure hope we all go to heaven :)

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4 people found this helpful