Daniel H. Pink: Rewards can deliver a short-term boost

The three things that motivate creative people - autonomy, mastery, purpose!

Daniel H. Pink

three creative people

The future belongs to a very different kind of person with a very different kind of mind - creators and empathizers, pattern recognizers and meaning makers.

Daniel H. Pink

patterns different mind

If you want people to perform better, you reward them, right? Bonuses, commissions, their own reality show. Incentivize them. [...] But that's not happening here. You've got an incentive designed to sharpen thinking and accelerate creativity, and it does just the opposite. It dulls thinking and blocks creativity.

Daniel H. Pink

block motivation inspiration

Asking "Why?" can lead to understanding. Asking "Why not?" can lead to breakthroughs.

Daniel H. Pink

asking-why understanding education

The last few decades have belonged to a certain kind of person with a certain kind of mind-computer programmers who could crank code, lawyers who could craft contracts, MBAs who could crunch numbers. But the keys to the kingdom are changing hands.The future belongs to a very different kind of person with a very different kind of mind-creators and empathizers, pattern recognizers and meaning makers.These people-artists, inventors, designers, storytellers, caregivers, consolers, big picture thinkers-will now reap society's richest rewards and share its greatest joys.

Daniel H. Pink

creativity artist education

Human beings have an innate inner drive to be autonomous, self-determined, and connected to one another. And when that drive is liberated, people achieve more and live richer lives.

Daniel H. Pink

self motivational people

For artists, scientists, inventors, schoolchildren, and the rest of us, intrinsic motivation-the drive to do something because it is interesting, challenging, and absorbing-is essential for high levels of creativity.

Daniel H. Pink

creativity motivation artist

Control leads to compliance; autonomy leads to engagement.

Daniel H. Pink

compliance autonomy engagement

All of us want to be part of something bigger than ourselves, something that matters.

Daniel H. Pink

bigger matter want

While complying can be an effective strategy for physical survival, it's a lousy one for personal fulfillment. Living a satisfying life requires more than simply meeting the demands of those in control. Yet in our offices and our classrooms we have way too much compliance and way too little engagement. The former might get you through the day, but only the latter will get you through the night.

Daniel H. Pink

survival office night

Do what you can't and experience the beauty of the mistakes you make.

Daniel H. Pink

mistake

The misuse of extrinsic rewards, so common in business, impedes creativity, stifles personal satisfaction and turns play into work.

Daniel H. Pink

rewards creativity play

Empathy is about standing in someone else's shoes, feeling with his or her heart, seeing with his or her eyes. Not only is empathy hard to outsource and automate, but it makes the world a better place.

Daniel H. Pink

eye leadership heart

Greatness and nearsightedness are incompatible. Meaningful achievement depends on lifting one's sights and pushing toward the horizon.

Daniel H. Pink

positivity meaningful inspirational

When the reward is the activity itself--deepening learning, delighting customers, doing one's best--there are no shortcuts.

Daniel H. Pink

shortcuts rewards customers

For many of us, the opposite of talking isn't listening. It's waiting. When others speak, we typically divide our attention between what they're saying now and what we're going to say next - and end up doing a mediocre job at both.

Daniel H. Pink

opposites talking jobs

Today it’s economically crucial and personally rewarding to create something that is also beautiful, whimsical, or emotionally engaging.

Daniel H. Pink

whimsical beautiful today

In many professions, what used to matter most were abilities associated with the left side of the brain: linear, sequential, spreadsheet kind of faculties. Those still matter, but they're not enough.

Daniel H. Pink

leadership mind brain

If you understand the independent worker, the self-employed professional, the freelancer, the e-lancer, the temp, you understand how work and business in the U.S. operate today.

Daniel H. Pink

independent leadership self

Goals may cause systematic problems for organizations due to narrowed focus, unethical behavior, increased risk taking, decreased cooperation, and decreased intrinsic motivation. Use care when applying goals in your organization.

Daniel H. Pink

motivation organization goal

Rewards can deliver a short-term boost—just as a jolt of caffeine can keep you cranking for a few more hours. But the effect wears off—and, worse, can reduce a person’s longer-term motivation to continue the project.