Drive

The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

By: Daniel H. Pink

Narrated by: Daniel H. Pink

Length: 5 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

The New York Times best seller that gives listeners a paradigm-shattering new way to think about motivation from the author of When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing.

Most people believe that the best way to motivate is with rewards like money - the carrot-and-stick approach. That's a mistake, says Daniel H. Pink (author of To Sell Is Human: The Surprising Truth About Motivating Others). In this provocative and persuasive new book, he asserts that the secret to high performance and satisfaction - at work, at school, and at home - is the deeply human need to direct our own lives, to learn and create new things, and to do better by ourselves and our world. Drawing on four decades of scientific research on human motivation, Pink exposes the mismatch between what science knows and what business does - and how that affects every aspect of life. He examines the three elements of true motivation - autonomy, mastery, and purpose - and offers smart and surprising techniques for putting these into action in a unique book that will change how we think and transform how we live.

©2009 Daniel H. Pink (P)2009 Penguin

Critic reviews

"Pink makes a convincing case that organizations ignore intrinsic motivation at their peril." (Scientific American)

"Persuasive...Harnessing the power of intrinsic motivation rather than extrinsic remuneration can be thoroughly satisfying and infinitely more rewarding." (Miami Herald)

"These lessons are worth repeating, and if more companies feel emboldened to follow Mr. Pink's advice, then so much the better." (Wall Street Journal)

Good read, would recommend

I have read some of his other books, seems like some things were repeated over here.

Great book

I thought the concepts presented were well explained and thought out. I enjoyed the specific recommendations for implementation found at the end of the book.

Outstandingly relevant

A must read for individuals as well as organizations. There's no doubt I'll revisit this material again in the future.

Are You Type I or Type X?

Dan Pinks book, Drive, is an excellent look at Motivation and how we do our best work and compel others to do the same. This book is perfect for leaders of teams that want to maximize output and results while creating a framework that enables everyone to do their best work through Autonomy, Motivation, and Purpose.

Amazing Book!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes most definitely. This book really strikes home with some new insight into how the world currently operates and how it should evolve to adapt to the new economy.

What about Daniel H. Pink’s performance did you like?

His ideas were clear and explained very well and I could understand and relate to them.

Any additional comments?

Definitely worth the listen, best book I have listened to yet!

Great Listen

Drive will change your mind about management. coming from a sales management background I know I will implement these ideas into my organization

Thought provoking

The author divides motivation into 3 versions... 1.0 is physical (food & sex), 2.0 is extrinsic Pavlov and money stuff, and 3.0 is the top of Maslow's triangle and a heaping helping from the book Flow. I thought the book read well, and put a fresh coat of paint on some older info that we shouldn't ignore.

Beyond Carrots and Sticks

Pink describes that the goal of this book is to bridge the gap between what science knows about motivation and what business does. He outlines the evolution of scientific theory regarding motivation from a focus on extrinsic motivation to one of intrinsic motivation. Using research from his previous book, A Whole New Mind, he ties that shift in theory to the change in the nature of work, that is, moving from more left-brain tasks to ones that require the use of the whole brain. Pink goes on to make his case for why external rewards backfire and lists seven deadly flaws of carrots and sticks, noting times when external rewards will be successful. Instead, Pink argues that the key to motivation is autonomy, mastery, and purpose. At the end of the book, Pink list a myriad of tips, best practices, and recommended books both for individuals and organizations.

Brilliant, with a lot regurgitated material.

I found it hard to follow much of this book having read most of the books pink cites. If you are not up to date on a lot of mid set books, then this is a decent synopsis. I patently disagree with several of his examples as case studies because they use very faulty logic. Comparing the ability of a Harvard MBA to that of a poor indian farmer fails in so many ways. In that he cited the work correctly yes, I agree, but the work is myopic and fails on many levels as do most authors who use case studies to bring about broad sweeping generalities about society. This is a decent read and cites some very profound and amazing work.

Repetitive

Would you listen to Drive again? Why?

Yes, because there were snippets that were extremely valuable.

Would you recommend Drive to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes, because I think too many people are motivated by the wrong reasons and they then motivate others ineffectively.

Any additional comments?

Good just repeated the message a number of times