Danger in the Comfort Zone

Book excerpt: "Since the original publication of this important and controversial book, it has stirred up business thinkers everywhere. Now this landmark work has been updated and expanded -- with five all-new chapters -- to meet today's continuing challenges to the nation's productivity and morale. Danger in the Comfort Zone examines the phenomenon of the ""entitlement"" mentality in the American workforce -- people's preoccupation with their rewards rather than their responsibilities. Bardwick describes three basic mindsets and shows the effect of each on individuals and their organizations: * Entitlement -- people feel entitled to rewards and lethargic about having to earn them; motivation and job satisfaction are low * Fear -- people are paralyzed; the threat of layoffs makes them focus on protecting their jobs rather than doing them well * Earning -- people are energized by challenge; they know their accomplishments will be noticed -- and rewarded In this paperback edition, Bardwick points out that although the ""fear"" element has undoubtedly grown in the last few years, the entitlement attitude is still firmly entrenched at all levels. She offers additional chapters with new, specific techniques for pulling people out of the quagmire of fear and complacency, and igniting them with the energy of true earning."