In DRiVE, Daniel Pink reveals what he characterizes as “the surprising truth about what motivates us.” For example, he examines “the mismatch between what science knows and what business does. The gap is wide. Its existence is alarming. And though closing it seems daunting, we have reasons to be optimistic.

“The scientists who study human motivation…offer us a sharper and more accurate account of both human performance and the human condition…The science shows that those typical twentieth-century carrot-and-stick motivators – things we consider somehow a ‘natural’ part of human enterprise – can sometimes work. But they’re effective in only a surprisingly narrow band of circumstances. The science shows that ‘if-then’ rewards [i.e. if you do this, then you’ll get that] – the mainstays of the Motivation 2.0 operating system – not only are ineffective in many situations, but also can the high-level creative, conceptual abilities that are central to current and future economic and social progress. The science shows that the secret to high performance isn’t our biological drive or our reward-and-punishment drive, but our third drive – our deep seated desire to direct our own lives, to extend and expand our abilities, and to live a life of purpose….

“We’re designed to be active and engaged. And we know that the richest experiences in our lives aren’t when we’re clamoring for validation from others, but when we’re listening to our own voice – doing something that matters, doing it well, and doing it in the service of a cause larger than ourselves.

“So in the end, repairing the mismatch and bringing our understanding of motivation into the twenty-first century is more than an essential move for business. It’s an affirmation of our humanity.”

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Dan Pink is the author of several provocative, bestselling books about the changing world of work. His latest is To Sell is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others, which offers a fresh look at the art and science of sales. Using a mix of social science, survey research, and rich stories, the book shows that white-collar workers now spend an enormous portion of their time persuading, influencing, and moving others. Then it reveals the 3 personal qualities and 3 specific skills necessary for doing it better. Previously, he published DRiVE: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future, and Free Agent Nation: The Future of Working for Yourself.