Driven – a book review

Posted by

Barry Siskind

Community Manager

Every once in a while, I stumble across a business book worth recommending. One such book is Driven by Daniel H. Pink, published by Riverhead Books, (ISBN # 978-1-59448-480-3).

Pink’s thesis is that conventional management is outdated.  In fact, for Pink  the term management, in its traditional sense, may be a misnomer.

Management techniques are based on the centuries old tradition of a carrot and stick. Managers hold out rewards (the carrot) in front of an employee to do a better job but if the employee fails they are punished (the stick). While Pink concedes that there are certain, albeit limited, situations where this type of management works, in the majority of cases it simply does not.

Pink writes that to motivate a worker there are three essential components: autonomy – the desire to direct one’s own life; mastery – the need to get better and better at something that matters, and purpose – the desire to do work that contributes to something greater than ourselves.

His case is well presented with references to current research by psychologists, economists and sociologists and is supported with countless contemporary examples of global companies who have adopted these principles to achieve success.

The last section of the book is a toolkit of helpful exercises to help readers apply his principles.

I found Pink’s book compelling and thought-provoking and an easy read.

Has anyone else read Driven? I would be interested in your comments.