Business schools, business books, and managers themselves usually focus on managing organizations and people. But if you focus on managing progress, the management of people – and even if entire organizations – becomes much more feasible. You won’t have to figure out how to x-ray the inner work lives of subordinates; if you facilitate their steady progress in meaningful work, make that progress salient to them, and treat them well, they will experience the emotions, motivations, and perceptions necessary for great performance. Their superior work will contribute to organizational success. And here’s the beauty of it: They will love their jobs.
– Teresa M. Amabile and Steven J. Kramer in The Power of Small Wins (2011)
Stupid Matters 