The Why Axis: Hidden Motives and the Undiscovered Economics of Everyday Life by Uri Gneezy (Author), John List (Author), Steven D. Levitt

In this groundbreaking book, lauded behavioural economists Uri Gneezy and John List uncover what motivates people and, most importantly, why and how the right incentives can work to change behaviour and effect the world around us. Called the “Indiana Joneses of economics” because of their unorthodox approach, Gneezy and List have travelled the world conducting field experiments in order to study people’s actions in their natural environments. Through their original research, Gneezy and List have sought the answers to everything from life’s big-issue questions—the problems of discrimination, gender inequality, low rates of charitable giving—to everyday business issues such as low workplace productivity and price setting, all through the lenses of motivation and incentive. Their work is both revolutionary and immensely practical. It allows us to take action on big and little problems in ways that will no longer rely on assumptions but on the evidence of what really works to create change.