Drive: The Surprising Truth about What Motivates Us »

Daniel H. Pink is a former White House speechwriter and the author of the bestseller Free Agent Nation, A contributing editor at Wired magazine, he has written on work, business, and politics for The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, Slate, Salon, Fast Company, and other publications. He has also lectured to corporations, universities, and associations around the world on economic transformation and business strategy, and has analyzed commercial and social trends for dozens of television and radio programs.

From Daniel H. Pink, the author of the groundbreaking bestseller A Whole New Mind, comes his next big idea book: a paradigm- changing examination of what truly motivates us and how to harness that knowledge to find greater satisfaction in our lives and our work.

Publishers Weekly

According to Pink (A Whole New Mind), everything we think we know about what motivates us is wrong. He pits the latest scientific discoveries about the mind against the outmoded wisdom that claims people can only be motivated by the hope of gain and the fear of loss. Pink cites a dizzying number of studies revealing that “carrot and stick” can actually significantly reduce the ability of workers to produce creative solutions to problems. What motivates us once our basic survival needs are met is the ability to grow and develop, to realize our fullest potential. Case studies of Google's “20 percent time” (in which employees work on projects of their choosing one full day each week) and Best Buy's “Results Only Work Environment” (in which employees can work whenever and however they choose—as long as they meet specific goals) demonstrate growing endorsement for this approach. A series of appendixes include further reading and tips on applying this method to businesses, fitness and child-rearing. Drawing on research in psychology, economics and sociology, Pink's analysis—and new model—of motivation offers tremendous insight into our deepest nature. (Jan.)\

Introduction The Puzzling Puzzles of Harry Harlow and Edward Deci 1

Pt. 1 A New Operating System 15

Ch. 1 The Rise and Fall of Motivation 2.0 15

Ch. 2 Seven Reasons Carrots and Sticks (Often) Don't Work ... 34

Ch. 2A ... and the Special Circumstances When They Do 60

Ch. 3 Type I and Type X 70

Pt. 2 The Three Elements 85

Ch. 4 Autonomy 85

Ch. 5 Mastery 109

Ch. 6 Purpose 131

Pt. 3 The Type I Toolkit 153

Acknowledgments 219

Notes 221

Index 231