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
On Bullshit
Timelines of World History
The Internet of Money Volume 2
String Theory
Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs
The Principia
Paradigms Of A.I. Programming
The Bully Pulpit
The Beak of the Finch
Draft No. 4
The Almanack of Naval Ravikant
The House of Getty
Rage Becomes Her
Barbarians At The Gate
The Three Body Problem
Storm of Steel
Play Anything
The Starfish and the Spider
When Genius Failed
Nonviolent Communication
Perfectly Reasonable Deviations from the Beaten Track
Restoring Our Republic
Conflicted
Scientific Advertising
Hit Refresh
Trauma
Systems Medicine
Good Calories, Bad Calories
The Best We Could Do
Visual Explanations
Complexity and the Economy
The Paper Menagerie And Other Stories
Rick and Morty Book Two
When Prophecy Fails
The Salmon of Doubt
Statistical Models
Indistractable
The Death and Life of Great American Cities
Bobby Kennedy
Originals
Exit Interview
On Wings of Eagles
Technopoly
Social Cognition
National Economic Planning
Trade Is Not A Four Letter Word
Pattern Recognition
The DevOps Handbook
Different
The Devil in the White City
The Second Machine Age
The Autobiography of Gucci Mane
Born Standing Up
No Two Alike
Trade-Off
The Wizard of Menlo Park
The Man Without a Face
The Boys in the Boat
The 5 Resets
The Wayfinders
Fast-Track Triathlete
The Story of Civilization: The Age of Reason Begins
All Out War
The Blank Swan
All The Light We Cannot See
A Sound of Thunder and Other Stories
Simple & Direct
Six Easy Pieces
Stories of Your Life and Others
Trailblazer
The Book of Life
True Enough
A Writer's Time
The Fear Book
Permanent Record
The Fry Chronicles
The Minefield Girl
Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman
What Do People Do All Day?
Negotiating The Impossible
Blueprint
Leading
Small Is the New Big
The Great Influenza
Plagues and Peoples
Limping on Water
Mandela's Way
Ready Player One
Sunset at Blandings
Cultural Strategy
The Theory of Investment Value
Revolution from Within
State of Fear
Steve Jobs & The NeXT Big Thing
Fortune's Formula
Bad Therapy
Memories, Dreams, Reflections
The Slow Midnight on Cypress Avenue
The Decadent Society
Parfit