The Motivation Code Book Summary - The Motivation Code Book explained in key points

Listen to the Intro

00:00

The Motivation Code summary

Name: The Motivation Code
Rating: 4.4 (176 reviews)
Author: Todd Henry with Ron Penner, Todd W. Hall and Joshua Miller

Todd Henry Ron Penner Todd W. Hall Joshua Miller

Discover the Hidden Forces That Drive Your Best Work

4.4 (176 ratings)

20 mins

Brief summary

The Motivation Code by Todd Henry explores the hidden drivers behind our motivation, helping us uncover our unique motivational profile and craft our work and personal lives accordingly. It offers practical tools for managers, leaders and individuals seeking to maximize motivation, engagement and fulfillment.

Topics

Skills Success Self-Help

Table of Contents

The Motivation Code
Summary of 7 key ideas

Audio & text in the Blinkist app

Key idea 1 of 7

What’s in it for me? Learn what really motivates you and others in life.

What motivates you to do your best work? Many of us think it’s the promise of a bigger paycheck or the prospect of a promotion. The truth is much more complex.

When it comes to your true motivations, there’s a lot under the surface that you may not even be aware of. That’s where these blinks come in. You’ll discover that what motivates your coworker or your boss, doesn’t necessarily motivate you. Just like every part of you, the motivations driving your behavior are utterly unique.

In these blinks, you’ll discover your own motivational code — those desires and needs that constantly dominate your subconscious life causing you to thrive or fail in a range of situations. As you unlock this hidden part of your identity, you’ll not only learn to better shape your life and career according to your true nature. You’ll also gain valuable insight into what makes the people around you behave the way they do.

In these blinks, you’ll learn

why key contributors lose their sense of self;
how to handle a visionary; and
what to say to an achiever.

Our inner drives have a big impact on our work.

What motivates you to excel at work isn’t always obvious. Take Frank, for example. He was an engineer known by his coworkers to be great at his job. Before long, he was given a promotion. But things began to go downhill when Frank started his new role. Suddenly, he was cutting corners and missing deadlines. On paper, Frank was perfect for the job. So, what was going wrong? The problem lay with his motivation.

Once Frank had talked to an executive coach, he realized that he was strongly motivated by a desire to receive recognition from his coworkers, and to learn new things. In contrast, he was much less motivated to organize the work of others. The problem was that Frank’s new role required him to focus on all the things that didn’t motivate him.

The key message in this blink is: Our inner drives have a big impact on our work.

In our hectic world, most of us are so busy doing that we don't stop to think about why we’re doing what we do. But to understand who we really are, we need to understand what motivates us. After all, we all have unique motivations that drive our emotions and behavior.

You might think you already know what motivates you, but most people aren’t very good at understanding their own behavior.

That’s because many things are happening in our brains, under the surface, that influence our actions. Since we can’t comprehend these deeper reasons, we make up stories about why we behave as we do. This phenomenon is known as rationalization; rather than accepting that our behavior is irrational, we construct false, rational explanations instead.

The good news is that you can let go of the false stories you’ve constructed by discovering your motivational code.

Your motivational code describes the unique motivations that drive your behavior. Once you understand those, you’ll know what you’re driven by. For example, is it a need to gain recognition? Overcome challenges? Help other people?

This unique code is unchanging. What motivated you five years ago will still motivate you in ten years. Your code is also consistent – your motivations remain constant across all situations.

In the following blinks, we’ll take a closer look at different drives, and the broader motivational families they belong to.

Visionaries can spot opportunities where others can’t.

Some of us think big – really big. Rather than settling for the ordinary, these inspiring souls strike out for a brighter future; always believing that something better is just around the corner. They have a motivational code that’s part of the Visionary family. But beware. These dreamers can’t always turn their vision into reality.

If your motivational code belongs to the visionary family, then you’re driven to reach for the stars. You can see untapped potential in everyone and everything and you want to bring that potential to life. Visionaries tend to do well in creative roles, such as in branding or design, where they can create new and better things.

Achievers will go to any lengths to get results.

If you’re offered a project that everyone thinks will fail, do you take it on anyway and push it forward as hard as you can? If someone tells you you can’t do something, do you take on the challenge just to prove them wrong? If the answer to these questions is yes, then your motivational code is probably part of the Achiever family.

People motivated by achievement get satisfaction from looking back over all the challenges they’ve overcome. Armed with a laser-like focus on the challenge at hand, achievers have a unique ability to tune out any distractions that won’t help them meet their goal. For these energetic folks, the bigger the obstacle that stands in their way, the more motivated they are to tackle it.

Collaborators are loyal to their team, almost to a fault.

For some people, it’s really combined efforts that count. If you love being part of a group and prefer teamwork over working alone, then your motivational code probably belongs to the Collaborate family.

Collaborators are a welcome addition to any team. Where others seek recognition and glory, collaborators are happy just to pitch in and help the whole team advance. These friendly folks believe that they don’t win unless the group wins, and they’ll do anything to make that happen — even taking on the jobs that no one else wants. That’s not to say that collaborators only care about winning; they’re much more interested in being a valued member of the team.

Learners prefer to think rather than do.

Once we’re done with school, many of us are happy to stick to what we know. But not everyone. For some, learning never stops, school is always in session. These curious souls thirst for knowledge and love exploring new topics. If this drive for understanding sounds familiar, then you’re probably part of the Learner family.

Learners love to explore the world of ideas. They’re the team members who volunteer to conduct research with their heads always in books or instruction manuals. Learners can connect the dots between things and concepts when other people can’t.

Optimizers love to solve systemic problems.

From time to time, you probably see people working inefficiently and think there must be a better way to work. But whereas most of us shrug our shoulders, some of us are driven to correct it. If you’re someone who can’t stand to see things done imperfectly, then your motivational code is likely part of the Optimizer family.

It’s a fact that optimizers live to organize.

Key contributors want to be seen and admired.

Picture the following scenario. Out of the blue, you receive an email from your boss asking you to give a presentation in front of the entire organization. This would be many people’s nightmare. But if your motivational code belongs to the Key Contributor family, it’s a dream come true.

Key contributors are driven to be the center of attention. While the rest of us shy away from the spotlight, they gain satisfaction knowing that all eyes are on them. Key contributors love having their voices heard, whether in a team meeting or a public speaking engagement. Other people tend to enjoy listening to them, too, because they tend to be charming and highly persuasive.

Want to see all full key ideas from The Motivation Code?

Key ideas in The Motivation Code

More knowledge in less time

Read or listen

Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.

Find your next read

Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.

Shortcasts ^New

We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.

What is The Motivation Code about?

The Motivation Code (2020) delves into the different types of intrinsic motivation and explores why we behave the way that we do. Packed with insights into our unique desires and needs, these blinks reveal the missing piece of the personality puzzle.

The Motivation Code Review

The Motivation Code (2020) delves into the complexities of motivation and reveals how understanding our unique motivating forces can enhance our productivity and satisfaction in work and life. Here's why this book is worth reading:

With its practical framework and insightful assessments, it guides readers in uncovering their individual motivations and leveraging them effectively.
The book combines expert research, case studies, and personal stories, creating a compelling narrative that keeps readers engaged and invested.
Through its compelling exploration of the different types of motivation, the book provides a fresh perspective on what drives human behavior, making it anything but boring.

Who should read The Motivation Code?

Anyone seeking greater self-awareness
Team managers looking for fresh insights
Pop psychology fans

About the Author

Todd Henry is the founder and CEO of Accidental Creative, a consultancy firm that promotes personal development and creativity. He’s also the author of the book The Accidental Creative.

Categories with The Motivation Code

Management & Leadership Motivation & Inspiration Career & Success

Book summaries like The Motivation Code

The Motivation Myth

Jeff Haden

How High Achievers Really Set Themselves Up to Win

20 min

4.4

The Motivation Manifesto

Brendon Burchard

Declarations to Claim Your Personal Power

11 min

3.9

Return on Ambition

Nicolai Chen Nielsen and Nicolai Tillisch

A Radical Approach to Your Achievement, Growth, and Well-Being

Creative Living Beyond Fear

Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business

Surprising Lessons from the Science of Motivation

Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World

A Guide To Spiritual Enlightenment

Master the Art of Business Strategy

A Guide to Building and Sustaining Lifelong Relationships

19 min

Change Your Paradigm, Change Your Life

Bob Proctor

Unlock Your Potential to Achieve

366 Meditations on Power, Seduction, Mastery, Strategy, and Human Nature

30 min

4.4

Then I Am Myself the World

Christof Koch

What Consciousness Is and How to Expand It

17 min

4.2

7 Business Habits That Drive High Performance

Nicholas S. Barnett

Organizational values and behaviors that drive success

The New Psychology of Success

The New, Drug-Free Anxiety Therapy That Can Change Your Life

18 min

The First Minute

Chris Fenning

How to Start Conversations that Get Results

For the Sisters, Misters, and Binary Resisters

36 min

2.5

The Art of Explanation

Ros Atkins

How to Communicate with Clarity and Confidence

How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life

23 min

4.4

Discipline Is Destiny

Ryan Holiday

The Power of Self-Control

18 min

4.7

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

Mark Manson

A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life

A Painfully Honest Field Guide to the Startup World

21 min

4.2

Negotiation Made Simple

John Lowry

A Practical Guide for Making Strategic Decisions, Finding Solutions, and Delivering the Best Deal

16 min

4.5

The Six Disciplines of Strategic Thinking

Michael D. Watkins

Leading Your Organization Into the Future

Explaining the Enigma

Ten Simple Steps to Becoming Financially Whole

Take Command of Your Business in 100 Days

The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health

18 min

4.2

The Ten Commandments for Business Failure

Donald R. Keough

Avoid the Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Business

20 min

4.5

The Beginning of Infinity

David Deutsch

Explanations That Transform the World

20 min

4.1

The Success Principles

Jack Canfield

How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be

The Story of Ideas That Fly

11 min

4.1

Coach Yourself Confident

Julie Smith

Ditch the self-doubt tax, unlock humble confidence

17 min

4.2

Thinking, Fast and Slow

Daniel Kahneman

Intuition or deliberation? Where you can (and can't) trust your brain

Own Your Morning. Elevate Your Life.

22 min

4.5

Why Motivating People Doesn't Work ... and What Does

Susan Fowler

More Breakthroughs for Leading, Energizing, and Engaging

Why Brains Learn Better Than Any Machine . . . for Now

Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing, and Bring More Joy to Your Life

20 min

4.4

How to Be a Productivity Ninja

Graham Allcott

Worry Less, Achieve More and Love What You Do

Why English Won’t – and Can’t – Sit Still (Like, Literally)

The Comprehensive Guide to Delay, Don't Deny® Intermittent Fasting

A Brief History of Humankind

28 min

4.3

Habits of a Peacemaker

Steven T. Collis

10 Habits to Turn Toxic Conversations Into Healthy Dialogues

18 min

The Buddha and the Badass

Vishen Lakhiani

The Secret Spiritual Art of Succeeding at Work

The Art of Risking Everything

Be a Kickass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity

The Power of Self-Discipline

Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Smarter

8 min

2.9

People ❤️ Blinkist

Sven O.

It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.

Thi Viet Quynh N.

Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.

Jonathan A.

Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.

Renee D.

Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.