Drive

The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

Daniel Pink

Recommended By

Book Reviews

One of Tobi Lutke's favorite books.

Book Synopsis

"Drive" by Daniel Pink is an insightful exploration of human motivation and what truly drives people to succeed. Pink challenges conventional wisdom that believes external rewards such as money and fame are the primary motivators for individuals. Instead, he argues that intrinsic motivation—our deep-rooted desire for autonomy, mastery, and purpose—is the key to unlocking our full potential.

Drawing from extensive research in behavioral science and real-world examples, Pink unveils the surprising truth about motivation. He dissects the traditional carrot-and-stick approach to motivation, which relies on external rewards and punishments, and reveals its limitations. By debunking the myth that extrinsic factors lead to better performance, Pink reveals how businesses and individuals can harness the power of intrinsic motivation to ignite their drive.

Pink introduces the three essential elements that foster intrinsic motivation: autonomy, the desire to direct our own lives and make choices; mastery, the urge to continuously improve and become better at what we do; and purpose, the yearning to contribute to something larger than ourselves. He posits that individuals and organizations can tap into these fundamental drivers by creating environments that encourage autonomy, provide opportunities for growth, and instill a sense of purpose and meaning in our work.

Throughout the book, Pink presents a compelling case for a new approach to motivation, one that supports self-determination and helps individuals unleash their inherent drive. He provides practical strategies and advice for individuals and leaders to foster a culture of motivation, emphasizing the importance of autonomy, mastery, and purpose in unlocking our fullest potential.

"Drive" is an enlightening and thought-provoking book that challenges our traditional understanding of motivation. With its evidence-based insights and actionable advice, Pink’s book offers a fresh perspective on how to tap into our inner drive and unleash our true potential in all aspects of our lives.

Explore More Books

See All
Well
Toussaint Louverture
Diaspora
Six Easy Pieces
Kingpin
The Undoing Project
Wake Up to the Joy of You
Carry on, Jeeves
Kelly
Where Mountains Roar
Where Wizards Stay Up Late
Uncommon Measure
One Hundred Years of Solitude
The Right Call
Crossing the Chasm
Anthropic Bias
Intellectuals and Race
Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs
From Headless Chicken to Golden Goose
Talent
Forged in Crisis
The Viral Storm
Tent Life in Siberia
Lying
Essays and Lectures
The French Revolution and What Went Wrong
Diffusion of Innovations
Steve Jobs & The NeXT Big Thing
The Plant Paradox
The Kite Runner
The Origin of Wealth
How Nature Works
On The Move
Scale
Little Leaders
Fahrenheit 451
Burn
King, Warrior, Magician, Lover
The Dragons of Eden
Law, Legislation, and Liberty
The Closing of the American Mind
Fortune's Formula
How Will You Measure Your Life?
Shantaram
Architects of the Web
The Innovators Dilemma
The Great Revolt
Diaminds
Our Final Invention
Layered Money
The Marked Children
On Being Certain: Believing You Are Right When You're Not
The Fabric of Reality
Right Thing, Right Now
The Essential Scratch & Sniff Guide to Becoming a Whiskey Know-It-All
Mohammed and Charlemagne
The Ambiguities of Experience
Failing Forward
Total Freedom
The Hunger Games
Academically Adrift
American Exceptionalism
The Red Queen
Educated
Leadership the Outward Bound Way
Pandemic 1918
The Persian Expedition
Simple Rules
Empire
The Dog Stars
Dynasty
Competing in the Age of AI
More Heat Than Light
The Course of Love
A Mathematician's Lament
Waking Up
The Back of the Napkin
Glass
Masters of Doom
Success
The Coming Wave
Exponential Organizations
Pasture Perfect
The Robotics Primer
The Martians of Science
This Is How They Tell Me The World Ends
Rainbows End
Obsession
The Compleat Strategyst
All The Light We Cannot See
Guns, Germs, and Steel
Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln
The Passage of Power
Eating The Big Fish
Plants of the Gods
The Accidental Universe
Permaculture: A Designer's Manual
Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar
The Man Who Knew Infinity
Ordinary Men