Drive

Name: Drive
Author: Daniel H. Pink
ISBN: 9781594484803

The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

Written byDaniel H. Pink

Pink argues that rewards and punishments work for simple, routine tasks but often backfire for creative, thinking work. What really drives us is the wish to direct our own lives, to get better at things that matter, and to be part of something bigger.

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Published2009
GenrePsychology
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01Carrots and sticks have limits
Rewards can boost simple tasks, but for creative work they can narrow focus and lower performance.
02Autonomy
People do their best work when they have a say over what they do, when, how and with whom.
03Mastery
We're driven by the urge to get better at something that matters. It takes effort, and it's never quite finished.
04Purpose
Motivation runs deepest when work serves something larger than ourselves.
05Pay fairly, then take money off the table
Pay people enough that money isn't the main thing on their minds, then let the deeper drives do the work.
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Carrots and sticks have limits

Rewards can boost simple tasks, but for creative work they can narrow focus and lower performance. Pick one small way to put this into practice before tonight.

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