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
The Wright Brothers
Technically Food
Startup
Deep Survival
The Etymologicon
The Complete Novels of Jane Austen
The Coaching Habit
The Innovator’s Solution
Beyond Good and Evil
Walter Benjamin
The Romance of American Communism
The Activist's Media Handbook
Calm Your Mind with Food
The Upside of Stress
The Evolution of Beauty
The Art of Computer Programming
The Four Agreements
A World-Class Education
The Extension of Man
In The Plex
Mr. Putin
Becoming Steve Jobs
A Cultural History of Physics
The Almanack of Naval Ravikant
The Essential Scratch and Sniff Guide to Becoming a Wine Expert
The Jungle Grows Back
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore
Zorba the Greek
Creation
The Ride of a Lifetime
Mean Genes
The Network State
The Utopia of Rules
Founders' Son
Dancing In The Glory Of Monsters
Art of the Living Dead
Brute
The Terminal List
No Bullshit Guide to Math and Physics
Three Blind Mice
The Right Stuff
The Warrior Ethos
The Fry Chronicles
Fallout
Powerful
Big World, Small Planet
The Omnivore's Dilemma
Tipping Points
Inversions
No Applause - Just Throw Money
How The Scots Invented The Modern World
Lessons for the Living
Bitcoin Billionaires
The Cult of LEGO
Beating The Street
Exhalation
Flu
Dune Messiah
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
The Formula
Not Zero
George's Marvellous Medicine
Going Infinite
Eisenhower in War and Peace
A Technique for Producing Ideas
Natural Capitalism
Civilisation
Money: Master The Game
The Score Takes Care of Itself
The Ones We Have Been Waiting For
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Live Free or Die
The Economic Consequences of the Peace
Artemis
On Bullshit
The 80/20 Principle
Einstein's Mistakes
A History of Rome
Epic Measures
The Energy World Is Flat
Pre-Suasion
Civilian Warriors
Built To Last
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Oh, The Place You’ll Go
Grit
The Butterfly Defect
The Surrender Experiment
Kill Switch
The Messy Middle
The Happiness Hypothesis
Saving Capitalism from Short Termism
American Buffalo
The Rise of Superman
Bull by the Horns
The Sympathizer
Good Night, Little Bear
The Belly Art Project
The Curse of the Mogul
Aware