The Enthusiastic Employee

About the Author

David Sirota, Louis A. Mischkind, and Michael Irwin Meltzer, the authors of The Enthusiastic Employee: How Companies Profit by Giving Workers What They Want, are seasoned experts in the field of employee management. David Sirota, the founder and chairman emeritus of Sirota Consulting, is renowned for his extensive research and practical applications aimed at enhancing organizational effectiveness. Louis A. Mischkind has dedicated over 35 years to exploring organizational effectiveness, both through research and real-world applications. Michael Irwin Meltzer, who joined Sirota Consulting as managing director in 2001 after serving as its general counsel for 20 years, brings a wealth of experience in legal and managerial domains.

Main Idea

The core premise of The Enthusiastic Employee is that employees who are motivated and enthusiastic significantly outperform their less engaged counterparts. The authors argue that most employees start their jobs with high levels of enthusiasm, which, unfortunately, often get dampened by poor management practices. They emphasize that the key to maintaining high employee morale lies in understanding and addressing employees' basic needs for fairness, achievement, and camaraderie. The book draws on 30 years of research and data from millions of employees to provide actionable insights and proven strategies for fostering a motivated workforce.

Table of Contents

1. Worker Motivation, Morale, and Performance
2. What Workers Want: The Big Picture
3. Employee Enthusiasm and Business Success
4. Motivated by Fair Treatment
5. Motivated by Achievement
6. A Management Style That Works
7. Motivated by Camaraderie
8. The Total Organization Culture and How to Change It

Worker Motivation, Morale, and Performance

The opening chapter of the book sets the stage by highlighting the critical importance of employee motivation and morale. The authors recount the resilience of Barron's Magazine employees in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, demonstrating the extraordinary commitment of motivated workers. They assert that the primary challenge for organizations is to transform indifferent workers into enthusiastic ones. This transformation hinges on understanding and fulfilling employees' core needs.

What Workers Want: The Big Picture

The authors debunk popular myths about generational differences in the workplace, arguing that the fundamental needs of employees have remained consistent over time. According to the Three Factor Theory of Human Motivation in the Workplace, employees seek equity, achievement, and camaraderie. When these needs are met, employees are not just satisfied but genuinely enthusiastic about their work. The book underscores that these needs are universal and timeless, cutting across different cultures and industries.