Resolutions 2010: Reading Daniel Pink’s latest Drive (review of book to be published 1/2010)

Daniel Pink’s new book Drive is a worthy successor of “A Whole New Mind.”

In A Whole New Mind, Daniel Pink outlined why the  need for left-brain (logical, linear) skills has largely been blown to bits.   He described that right-brain (creative, empathic) thinking adds that makes it critical to today’s business success. The approach of A Whole New Mind was also reflected in the creation of the content of his book. For me, it was every effective and proved to stimulating as a person and professional (leading a large contact center operation in the Netherlands).

Now in DRIVE, Pink tackles how to motivate the creative workers (rule 1: think intrinsic empowerment, not extrinsic rewards and punishments) often belonging to the creative class. He reveals a better approach—one built more on intrinsic motivation with these three essential elements:

1. Autonomy—the desire to direct our own lives
2. Mastery—the urge to get better and better at something that matters
3. Purpose—the desire to do what we do in the service of something larger than ourselves

Again, he is aware of new developments, creates the context and let you connect. And he is able to motivate you to start changing; the biggest compliment one can give for authors – maybe even better masters -  in this genre.

Daniel describes the manifesting paradox of motivation in this knowledge based, everything is connected era. Pink refers to the old world guidelines of  motivation, and how monetary rewards have lost their attractiveness now we are transforming from a hierarchy to a wirearchy. Away from a “top-down” management system to the more loosely connected result driven style (workers being free to decide how to do their jobs e.g. like the ROWE-approach).

As Pink puts it, managers, leadership and employees must realize that  that the work to be done is worthwhile. In this way this workforce generation is moving to the top of Maslow’s pyramid and realize esteem and self-actualization.  And yes,  you as professional or as a person, trying to achieve professional of personal goals, read  his book. It refers to state to the art facts about drivers of your (or your team) performance.

His book prompts you to think and inspire you to transform your business and your career.

My rating

The  first 1oo+ pages rate 4,5 stars.

Lots of worthy content, that inspires one,  developed logically and presented simply.  Readers of others book are known with the concept of the toolkit, that are presented sequentially after the text of 130 pages.  A reference and a  “toolkit” for applying the principles,  helpful and interesting. Frankly speaking, these toolkits are for me nice to flip through but – isolated and not integrated – never get the attention they probably deserve!  In this information overload society one might wonder – without compromising on content – whether compressing the context – would not benefit all involved parties.

DRIVE is recommended reading for anyone involved in motivating people in the workplace, school or home and of course if you want to know more about your motivation to achieve business, professional or personal success.

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