Finally I got to read Daniel Pink’s book: Drive.
It’s a good book, but as someone mentioned you could get a long way with just the talks he has been giving. Nevertheless, the book tells a few truths on the problems with the conventional wisdom popularized by Taylor early in the 1900’s. Assuming that Taylor was wrong – and I must say that I didn’t need Pink to convince me of that, but it’s good to know that I’m not alone in this assumption – what could be a more fitting motivational approach for the 21st century’s workers, the creative minds?
Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose.
Autonomy in what you do, when you do it, who you do it with, and how you do it. As long as you do whatever is needed and in a timely fashion.
Mastery – you will never achieve it, as you can always grow and become better at what you’re doing. Mastery requires the pursuit of the better self.
Purpose – we need a reason beyond Maslow’s needs for doing what we’re doing.
Pink tells us about the Intrinsically motivated (I) and the Extrinsically motivated (X) people. Which kinds of tasks can be seen as fit for extrinsic motivation, e.g. payment, and why something may be better with an intrinsic motivation.
I’m not quite sure, how you’ll go by and ignite the intrinsic motivation for everything, but it sure sounds like a good idea to drill down to the core and find the intrinsic motivation to get going.
Of course, we get the mention of Mark Twain and Tom Sawyer’s whitewashing of Aunt Polly’s fence.
Who should read it?
Anyone! But especially parents, teachers, leaders, and managers.
