Check It Out:

Competing for jobs is tough in the best of times, and in a bad economy you need every edge you can get. Read up on current “thinking about thinking” and how it affects the world of work, and you’ll go into your next interview armed with knowledge that will help you stand out from the crowd.

Start with “Predictably Irrational” by Dan Ariely. Ariely is a behavioral economist who cites a variety of fascinating and eye-opening studies to argue that, while humans are not rational actors most of the time, we are irrational in predictable ways, and that those insights should inform the way we develop our economic and business models. Far from a dry dissection of economic theory, this book is a lively read: sometimes hilarious, sometimes shocking, but always interesting. Ariely will have you wondering if you’ve ever made a rational decision in your life!

In “A Whole New Mind,” Daniel Pink observes that the worlds of work and culture are experiencing a transformational shift from left-brained to right-brained thinking.

He posits that survival and success in this transition will rely on the ability to develop six “senses”: design, story, symphony, empathy, play and meaning. If you have any fears that you are becoming obsolete or that your job might be outsourced, this is a great book to help you envision your career in a new way.

If you’re in a management position, Pink provides additional insights in his latest book, “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us.” He explores how prevailing business wisdom about motivation is actually contradicted by scientific evidence about the way people think. He contrasts extrinsic motivation (i.e. the old “carrot and stick” philosophy) with intrinsic motivation, and demonstrates that while extrinsic motivation is effective for a small number of routine tasks, intrinsic motivation is far more powerful and long-lasting. Pink argues that in order to develop and foster intrinsic motivation in employees you need to provide three things: autonomy, mastery and purpose.

People want to have control over what they do or how they do it; they want the opportunity to learn and grow and get better at what they do; and they want to be part of something bigger than themselves. It’s a book that challenges some long-held assumptions in the business world.