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194 Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer: The Progress Principle

Small wins and progress toward meaningful goals are the key drivers of motivation, creativity, and productivity in the workplace.

Duration: 07 hours
58 minutes
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Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer: The Progress Principle

Summary

"The Progress Principle" by Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer argues that small wins and progress toward meaningful goals are the key drivers of motivation, creativity, and productivity in the workplace. Based on a multi-year research study, the book shows how employees who experience a sense of progress and accomplishment are more engaged, innovative, and resilient, while those who feel stuck or stalled in their work are more likely to be disengaged and demotivated. The authors offer practical advice for leaders and managers to foster a culture of progress in their organizations, including strategies for setting meaningful goals, recognizing progress, and providing feedback and support. With real-life examples and insights from psychology and management, "The Progress Principle" provides a compelling case for the power of progress in driving workplace satisfaction, performance, and growth.

About

Title: The Progress Principle

Authors: Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer

Publishing year: 2023

Publisher: Harvard Business Review Press

Length in hours: 7 hours and 58 minutes

5 main ideas

  1. Small wins and progress toward meaningful goals are the primary drivers of motivation, creativity, and productivity in the workplace.
  2. Employees who experience a sense of progress and accomplishment are more engaged, innovative, and resilient, while those who feel stuck or stalled in their work are more likely to be disengaged and demotivated.
  3. Leaders and managers can foster a culture of progress in their organizations by setting meaningful goals, recognizing progress, and providing feedback and support.
  4. The relationship between progress and motivation is complex, and can be influenced by factors such as the individual's mindset, the difficulty of the task, and the sense of autonomy and control.
  5. The power of progress extends beyond the workplace, and can have positive effects on individuals' well-being and sense of purpose.
Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer: The Progress Principle

5 funny quotes

  1. "Progress is like a game of Jenga: it's all about finding the right blocks to move at the right time." - Unknown
  2. "I tried to make progress, but my computer crashed and took all my work with it." - Unknown
  3. "If at first you don't succeed, try progress." - Unknown
  4. "I'm not saying I'm Batman, but have you ever seen me and progress in the same room?" - Unknown
  5. "Progress is a bit like gardening: you have to plant the seeds, water them regularly, and then wait patiently for the flowers to bloom." - Unknown

5 thought-provoking quotes​

  1. "Small wins can accumulate into big gains, and big gains can in turn energize people's sense of progress." - Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer
  2. "People want to feel that they are making a difference in their work, and that their efforts are leading to meaningful outcomes." - Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer
  3. "The feeling of progress is not just a nice-to-have; it is a must-have for people who are trying to find meaning and satisfaction in their work." - Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer
  4. "Leaders who focus on progress can create a virtuous cycle of motivation, performance, and growth in their organizations." - Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer
  5. "The key to progress is to focus on meaningful goals, and to break them down into small, achievable steps." - Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer

5 dilemmas

  1. The tension between setting ambitious goals and creating a realistic sense of progress, particularly in situations where progress is slow or incremental.
  2. The challenge of providing feedback that is both specific and supportive, without demotivating employees or stifling creativity.
  3. The importance of balancing autonomy and control in the workplace, and ensuring that employees have the resources and support they need to make progress toward their goals.
  4. The potential for progress to become a source of stress or burnout, particularly in work environments that are already fast-paced or demanding.
  5. The role of leaders and managers in creating a culture of progress, and the challenges of fostering progress in teams or organizations that may have different goals, priorities, or perspectives.

5 examples

  1. Google's 20% Time policy, which allows employees to spend one-fifth of their work week on projects that interest them, has been credited with fostering innovation and creativity at the company.
  2. The "high-performing work systems" implemented at Lincoln Electric, a manufacturing company, have been shown to improve employee motivation, performance, and satisfaction by providing clear goals, regular feedback, and opportunities for skill development.
  3. The Agile methodology, used in software development, emphasizes short, iterative cycles of work and frequent feedback, enabling teams to make progress toward their goals while adapting to changing circumstances.
  4. The "Big Hairy Audacious Goals" (BHAGs) framework, developed by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras, encourages organizations to set ambitious, long-term goals that inspire and motivate employees.
  5. The "Daily 5" approach, used in elementary schools, encourages students to set goals for their reading progress and to track their progress daily, building a sense of accomplishment and motivation.

Referenced books

  1. "Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us" by Daniel H. Pink 
  2. "Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience" by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
  3. "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success" by Carol S. Dweck
  4. "The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact" by Chip Heath and Dan Heath 
  5. "Thinking, Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman 

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"Progress is a bit like gardening: you have to plant the seeds, water them regularly, and then wait patiently for the flowers to bloom."

Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer: The Progress Principle

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