The story centers around Shay Davis, the CEO of a Bay Area home security company (Golden Gate The Motive follows Shay Davis, the CEO of a Bay Area home security company (Golden Gate Security) who, after years of climbing the corporate ladder, has occupied the role at the top for almost a year. While not failing abjectly, he cannot deny that his company is not coming close to fulfilling its potential, and constantly fighting off the threat of a national competitor. Desperate to turn things around, Shay is granted a rare opportunity in the form of advice from his primary competitor, who holds absolutely nothing back. The story provides the context for contrasting the two primary motives that drive leaders--one of which is appropriate, the other destructive. After the fable, Lencioni describes a series of misguided beliefs that cause leaders to abdicate their most important duties. He provides practical advice for current and aspiring leaders about how to reset their thinking for the good of the organizations they lead.