Energy + Motivation

by Harvard Business Review, Annie McKee, Heidi Grant

Push through when procrastination calls. Some days you're on fire at work; other days you're burned out and easily distracted. How can you maintain your drive, make consistent progress, and expend your energy wisely? This book will help you identify what's behind your flagging engagement and productivity—and provide the expert research and advice on what to do about it. This volume includes the work How to be human at work. The HBR Emotional Intelligence Series features smart, essential reading on the human side of professional life from the pages of Harvard Business Review . Each book in the series offers proven research showing how our emotions impact our work lives, practical advice for managing difficult people and situations, and inspiring essays on what it means to tend to our emotional well-being at work. Uplifting and practical, these books describe the social skills that are critical for ambitious professionals to master.

Genres: Nonfiction, Business, Leadership, Psychology

176 pages, Paperback

Published September 6, 2022

Reviews

[Glo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short collection of 12 articles that address the motivation and the management of our energy. It provides notions about recovery and ‘rechargers’, and strategies to find motivation at work and in our lives. Eminently practical, they are brief and go to the point without extensive explanations. Additionally, there are a few examples to illustrate some of the tips.

It is a good book to seek ideas and advice swiftly.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harvard Business Review Press for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Steven Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been continuing the series on Emotional Intelligence from the Harvard Business Review Press, gradually working my way through these very helpful anthologies. “Energy and Motivation,” part of the Harvard Business Review's Emotional Intelligence Series, is a curated collection of twelve insightful articles that explore the psychological and emotional underpinnings of motivation and energy in the workplace. The book addresses the challenges professionals face in maintaining drive, engagement, and productivity, especially in high-pressure environments. It offers practical strategies grounded in research to help individuals and leaders sustain energy, overcome burnout, and foster a culture of motivation. Most of the article topics are very insightful:
The Power of Small Wins – Teresa Amabile emphasizes how achieving incremental progress can significantly boost motivation and energy. Recognizing and celebrating small victories helps maintain momentum.
Managing the Hidden Stress of Emotional Labor – contains one of the greatest explanation of the concept of authentic self - involving Oscar the Grouch from Sesame Street. Emotional Labor and Authenticity – Susan David discusses the hidden stress of emotional labor and advocates for aligning actions with personal values to reduce burnout and increase genuine engagement.
Beyond Willpower – Heidi Grant explains that motivation often requires more than sheer willpower. Techniques like implementation intentions and self-compassion can help overcome procrastination.
Energy Management – Elizabeth Grace Saunders provides actionable advice on managing energy throughout the day, including prioritizing tasks, taking breaks, and aligning work with natural energy rhythms. Honestly, nothing major revealing here.
Compassion as a Motivator – Annie McKee and Kandi Wiens argue that compassion—toward oneself and others—can be a powerful antidote to burnout and a source of renewed energy. Meh. I did not read this book for altruistic or performative reasons. This comes across as a little “life-coachy” and impractical for me.
Contagious Energy – Wayne Baker highlights how energized employees can uplift team performance, while lethargy can spread just as easily. Leaders play a key role in setting the tone. A great section – I’ve been on both sides of issues on this one.
Resilience and Recovery – Shawn Achor and Michelle Gielan stress that resilience is not about enduring stress but about strategically recharging. Recovery periods are essential for sustained performance.
Purpose and Autonomy – Dan Cable and Susan Fowler explore how motivation is deeply tied to autonomy, purpose, and the ability to express oneself at work.
For managers, this book is a toolkit for fostering a high-energy, motivated team culture. It provides:
• Diagnostic Tools: Helps identify root causes of disengagement and burnout.
• Leadership Strategies: Offers guidance on how to energize teams through empathy, recognition, and purpose-driven leadership.
• Culture Building: Encourages the creation of psychologically safe environments where employees feel valued and motivated.
• Performance Optimization: Equips managers with techniques to help employees manage their energy and stay productive without burning out.
For individual contributors, the book serves as a personal development guide. It helps them:
• Understand Motivation: Gain insights into what drives their own engagement and how to sustain it.
• Build Resilience: Learn how to recharge effectively and avoid burnout.
• Enhance Productivity: Apply practical strategies to stay focused and energized throughout the workday.
• Navigate Emotional Challenges: Develop emotional intelligence to handle stress, setbacks, and interpersonal dynamics more effectively.
Whether you're leading a team or striving to excel as an individual contributor, this book has some insights and tools needed to thrive with energy and purpose.

[Alexander Gil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some great points about new data on motivation. Identified by Dr Edward Deci’s investigation of 100s of self-determination theories, and thousands of studies. Adding to Maslow hierarchy of needs there are now three key areas people should be aware of
- autonomy
- relatedness
- competence

“There’s a part of our brains called the “seeking system” that creates the natural impulses to learn new skills and take on challenging but meaningful tasks.” This relates to dopamine and neurotransmitters for motivation and pleasure.

“Emotional labour, the effort it takes to keep your professional game face on when what you’re doing is not concordant with how you feel”

“The key to resilience is trying really hard, then stopping, recovering, and then trying again….. “Homeostatic value.”
Up regulation. Is where your mustering your resources to try hard requiring burning energy in order to overcome your current low arousal level.

[Jenna G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you HBR and NetGalley for the ARC copy. I find HBR books such practical books, and this book doesn't disappoint. 12 articles on managing energy + motivation. The practical suggestions to balancing energy in a variety of situations and putting boundaries and paying attention to energy levels. One of my favourite takeaways is you don't need to feel like doing it. There is nothing stopping you.

[Alex DiBattista · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good quick read with ideas on staying motivated at work. I wrote down multiple points, especially of note was the idea that I will work best when adjusting my role to my strengths and interests. Further, your energy at work is self-serving as it plays into the energy of colleagues and vice versa. Had a few deep thinking moments of who I want to be and what I want to do.

[Katharina Jach · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty surface-level stuff but it makes for an inspiring read.

[Eriq Beoku-Betts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook: Insightful, actionable and with absolutely 0 fluff. I wish all personal development books were like this.