The Game Changer by Dr Jason Fox
Wiley, $33.99

?This book is is worth the cover price just for the fact it dispels the myths of motivational speakers. Personally I loathe evangelical tub-thumpers with big teeth and earnestly positive smiles.

Game Changer is the thinking man’s text for motivation. It expands on something all children know: the best motivation is to do something you enjoy and the most enjoyment you can have is in playing games. Fox melds the science of motivation with gaming design to produce change in the workplace and drive progress.

Fox is an Australian who is an authority on motivation strategy and design. He’s been an academic but now works with small and large business organisations to ‘make clever happen’.

He believes there are three ways to approach motivation. The first two are to try to change attitudes and beliefs (which takes a lot of effort) and develop incentives and rewards (which takes a lot of money). The third way, which is what this book is about: designing the work itself to be inherently motivating.

I reckon what Fox reveals as the third way is the best way. He certainly motivated me to read the book thoroughly. It’ll be staying on my shelf.