This is a list of some of my favorite management science readings. These books offer a decidedly contrary view on issues ranging from motivation, compensation, rewards and incentives. They (and my own experience) have caused me to really rethink how to motivate and reward people. We humans are complicated beings; and as a result, often what is intuitive is wrong. The counter-intuitive is more than often right.

The New Economics for Industry, Government and Education – W. Edwards Deming

Management Rewired: Why Feedback Doesn’t Work and Other Surprising Lessons from the Latest Brain Science, Charles S. Jacobs

Outliers: The Story of Success, Malcolm Gladwell

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, Carol Dweck

How the Mighty Fall and Why Some Companies Never Give In, Jim Collins

Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, Doris Kearns Goodwin

Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, Daniel Pink

I hope you enjoy these. If there are readings you think are worthwhile, please share!