Dan Pink presents great insight into the gap between what science knows and what business does about motivation. Using a variety of metaphors to clearly state his arguments, Pink makes a compelling case for recognizing that management approaches based on compliance are not going to serve organizations well in the new world of work that is evolving with our changing business and economic environment.
The central thesis is laid out neatly – humans need three things to motivate themselves: autonomy, mastery, and purpose. These are the drivers of intrinsic motivation, which Pink argues is critical for any non-algorithmic work (not just creative work, but anything that is non-repetitive or that involves problem solving).
After the preliminary groundwork is presented, a chapter is dedicated to each element (autonomy, mastery, purpose). Scientific studies – often with counter-intuitive results – are peppered throughout the book and support Pink’s arguments quite nicely. Of course, this works well because there are no counter-arguments presented to this case. Instead, there are a series of recaps and exercises designed to help reinforce Pink’s thesis.
The book is very well-written, compelling, and thought-provoking. I consider it a must-read for those who wish to contemplate the way the business world is evolving.
If you enjoy the book (or if you need more to explore before purchasing), be sure to watch his TED Talk on this topic, and the RSA animation video as well.
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