Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink is a New York Times bestseller that challenges the traditional “carrot-and-stick” approach to motivation. Pink argues that true motivation comes from our intrinsic need for autonomy, mastery, and purpose. He draws on four decades of scientific research to show the gap between what science knows and what business does, offering techniques to foster genuine motivation in various aspects of life.
Critics have praised the book for its insightful and thought-provoking content. For example, Darren Cronshaw and George Minns from Grounded Curiosity highlight Pink’s challenge to the classic extrinsic motivation model and his advocacy for intrinsic motivation, which is more effective for tasks requiring creativity and analysis. Reader reviews on Goodreads are generally positive, with an average rating of 3.95 out of 5 stars from over 121,000 ratings. Many readers appreciate the book’s paradigm-shifting ideas and practical applications.
Daniel H. Pink is known for his engaging and accessible writing style. His tone is often described as warm and personable, akin to a friendly teacher or public speaker engaging an audience. Pink’s writing is a blend of big ideas, practical takeaways, captivating stories, and crisp humor. He emphasizes the importance of showing up, writing every day, and honoring the promise made to readers.