Drive Book Summary

Book Summary

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Brief Summary

Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us (2011) explores the topic of human motivation. Daniel argues that most people are driven by extrinsic motivation—decisions based on external rewards and punishments. The author proposes that people should replace extrinsic motivation with intrinsic motivation. Daniel shows that intrinsic motivation has to do with the innate pleasure humans derive from completing or mastering an activity. People and organizations should adopt intrinsic motivation as a challenge to improve their abilities and not simply for material reward. Daniel proposes that restructuring work and aligning jobs with intrinsic motivation, organizations will be more successful and employees will lead happier, more rewarding, and fulfilling lives.

About the Author

Daniel H. Pink is the author of #1 New York Times bestsellers Drive and To Sell is Human. He has also authored six books about human behavior and business. Dan worked for Vice President Al Gore from 1995 to 1997 as chief speechwriter. He served as host and co-executive producer of “Crowd Control,” a television series about human behavior on the National Geographic Channel. Daniel was named the 6th most influential management thinker in the world in 2019 by London-based Thinkers 50. He graduated with a BA from Northwestern University and a JD from Yale Law School. He has also received honorary doctorates from several universities such as Georgetown University and Westfield State University. Pink lives with his family in Washington, DC.

Topics

Self Development Management & Leadership

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Key Insights

Chapter 1: The Rise and Fall of Motivation 2.0

Daniel starts by showing that civilization was driven by our survival needs: eating and surviving. He refers to them as “Motivation 1.0”.

The industrial revolution brought about Motivation 2.0. We have gone beyond basic needs. The world now works using a ‘carrots and stick’ system of rewards and punishments.

Extrinsic Motivation works on a rewards and punishment mentality. Intrinsic Motivation produces results from an internal desire to accomplish something even if there is no material reward.

Chapter 2: 7 Reasons Why Carrots and Sticks Don’t Work

Psychology shows that carrots and sticks system does not work. Extrinsic motivation “crowds out” intrinsic motivation and the joy of accomplishing a task; it also diminishes performance and discourages creativity in the long-term.

Extrinsic motivation encourages cheating.

It motivates people to engage in immoral behavior in order to get ahead in life. What happened at ENRON is a good example of extrinsically motivated behavior.

Extrinsic behavior is addictive and produces negative effects once it’s stopped. People tend to get depressed when there is no reward and start to feel like work is a punishment

Extrinsic motivation encourages short-term thinking. This affects long-term growth.

Chapter 3: Type I and Type X

There are two types of people: Type X (Extrinsic) who are driven by a desire for fame, status, money, etc. Such people are materialistic and always seek to gain more. They are also highly successful.

Type I’s (Intrinsic) are motivated from within. They seek to accomplish something meaningful and take pleasure in the task and not the reward.

Type I have higher self-esteem and establish better relationships. They are motivated by purpose, autonomy and a desire to master their lives.

Chapter 4: Autonomy

Autonomy or the desire to be in control of one’s life is one of the three basic human needs. However, it should not be confused with independence. One can be autonomous but not independent.

Most people thrive when they are presented with a problem and asked to provide solutions. There is greater creativity when one people work in an environment of autonomy

In the workplace, people desire to have autonomy in; time, tasks, teams, and techniques. Autonomy encourages Type I personality to develop and flourish.

Chapter 5: Mastery

The path to achieve Mastery is to attain what is referred to as “flow: when a task is neither too easy nor too difficult.” It is also the point at which we will learn...