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Drive

the Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us
ksoles
Jun 21, 2011ksoles rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Autonomy. Mastery. Purpose. According to Daniel Pink, these factors make up "Motivation 3.0," the force that keeps us focused on tasks and fulfilled by their completion. "Drive" asserts that humans perform according to a hierarchy of "operating systems," from meeting basic needs (eating & reproducing) to seeking reward and avoiding punishment to achieving personal satisfaction. He also differentiates between Type I workers, who are intrinsically motivated, and Type X workers, who are extrinsically motivated. These two sets of people need customized treatment from their superiors to be optimally productive. In Malcolm Gladwell-esque style, Daniel Pink has taken an important but poorly understood topic, outlined interesting research performed by others on the topic, and presented conclusions in an engaging summary. "Drive" represents a solid introduction to a universal subject and is certainly supported by scholarship despite its oversimplifications. Pink's theories neglect to deal adequately with either the least popular jobs or the workers who don't feel enticed by autonomy, mastery and purpose but, despite limited application to the real world, Pink's conclusions provide valuable insight for anyone trying to create a more productive working environment.