Work Better, Live Better: Motivation, Labor, and Management Ideology

Work Better, Live Better explores the rise of motivational rhetoric in the workplace, tracing its origins to the early twentieth century and its impact on worker and union interests.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2020
Publisher: University of Massachusetts Press

In the United States, a strong work ethic has long been held as a necessity, and tributes to motivation abound. From the motivational posters that line the walls of the workplace to the self-help gurus who draw in millions of viewers online, Americans are repeatedly told they can achieve financial success and personal well-being by adopting a motivated attitude toward work. But where did this obsession come from? And whose interests does it serve?

Work Better, Live Better traces the rise of motivational rhetoric in the workplace across the expanse of two world wars, the Great Depression, and the Cold War. Beginning in the early twentieth century, managers recognized that force and coercion, the traditional tools of workplace discipline, inflamed industrial tensions. As a result, they sought more subtle means of enlisting workers' cooperation. David Gray demonstrates how this motivational project became a highly orchestrated affair as managers and their allies deployed films, posters, and other media, and drew on the ideas of industrial psychologists and advertising specialists to advance their quests for power at the expense of worker and union interests.

Throughout the book, Gray offers a critical analysis of the ways in which motivational rhetoric has been used to undermine worker and union rights. He shows how managers have used fear, insecurity, and competition to divide workers and undermine their collective power. He also highlights the ways in which motivational rhetoric has been used to justify the exploitation of workers, particularly in the global economy.

One of the most striking aspects of Work Better, Live Better is Gray's exploration of the ways in which motivational rhetoric has been used to shape public opinion. He shows how the media, politicians, and other powerful institutions have used motivational stories and images to promote a particular vision of work and success. This vision is often at odds with the interests of workers and unions, as it promotes individualism, competition, and profit over collective well-being and social justice.

Gray also offers a hopeful vision of a more democratic and equitable workplace. He argues that workers and unions can reclaim their power by developing a stronger sense of collective identity and by organizing themselves to advocate for their interests. He suggests that managers can play a role in this process by promoting a more collaborative and democratic workplace culture that values worker and union rights.

In conclusion, Work Better, Live Better is a powerful and thought-provoking book that offers a critical analysis of the rise of motivational rhetoric in the workplace. By tracing the history of this rhetoric and its impact on workers and unions, Gray provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of the contemporary workplace and the challenges facing workers today. Whether you are a worker, a manager, or a concerned citizen, this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the power of motivational rhetoric and the importance of workers and unions in shaping the future of our society.

Weight: 422g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781625345349