Summary of Drive

This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice. For decades, the prevailing belief has been that the best way to motivate people is through rewards like money—the classic carrot-and-stick approach. But Daniel H. Pink, author of To Sell Is Human: The Surprising Truth About Motivating Others, argues that this is a mistake. In Drive, Pink presents a provocative and persuasive case for a different way of thinking about motivation. He asserts that the secret to high performance and satisfaction—whether at work, school, or at home—is not external rewards, but our deeply human need to direct our own lives, to learn, to create, and to do better by ourselves and for the world. Drawing on over four decades of scientific research on human motivation, Pink exposes the mismatch between what science knows about motivation and how business practices often fail to apply that knowledge. He identifies three key elements of true motivation: autonomy, mastery, and purpose. These factors, he argues, are far more powerful than external incentives and can transform the way we approach work, learning, and personal growth. In Drive, Pink offers smart and surprising techniques for incorporating autonomy, mastery, and purpose into our everyday lives. This groundbreaking book challenges traditional thinking and provides practical advice that will change how we motivate ourselves and others, helping us to live more fulfilling, productive, and creative lives.