The Constellation Learning Newsletter
June 2010

For more than a decade I have read only non-fiction books, books from which I could learn, books on leadership, communication, quantum physics, and the nature of the universe. And then, all of a sudden, I had had enough. So I gave my brain a break by throwing myself into fiction, reading Pulitzer Prize or Booker prize winning novels.

Cynthia Barlow

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~ Monthly Message ~

"The purpose of life is a life of purpose."
~ Robert Byrne ~

Last week I picked up my first non-fiction in two years, Drive: The Surprising Truth about What Motivates Us, by Daniel Pink, a choice made after viewing a white board presentation summary that Pink narrates. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6XAPnuFjJc ) It’s 10 minutes long and well worth the watch. Pink, an animated and interesting speaker as well as best-selling author, also appears on a 20 minute TED talk: http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pink_on_motivation.html.

The gist of Drive is the idea that there is a mismatch between what science knows about motivating people and what business does. That offering extrinsic rewards (think money, cars, things) may work short-term in some areas, but that long-term motivation must be intrinsic to be successful.

Science tells us that human beings are intrinsically motivated by three things: autonomy (the desire to be self-directed); mastery (the desire to learn and do better); and purpose (to find meaning in what we do and contribute to the world). These conclusions are backed up with countless studies many of which are detailed in Pink’s book. The bottom line of all the research is that the old “carrot and stick” form of motivation—the current mindset for most businesses—is not only not in keeping with what science demonstrates, but may in fact actually undermine the very goals companies (and individuals—think of trying to motivate yourself or your children!) set for performance.

Study after study backs up what we know innately: that no amount of money is enough to keep you participating (e.g. engaged) in work that is meaningless to you. Think of the numbers of people you know personally or have heard about who left high-paying positions to do something more emotionally rewarding. People who’ve decided to become more autonomous, or who want to make a positive difference in the world.

Fear is fast becoming an archaic management technique.

Think of Google. Or YouTube. Or any number of other cutting edge companies who offer their employees an opportunity to tap into these intrinsic motivators such as autonomy by offering employees what is called “20%” time—one day a week they can work on whatever they want. Or ROWE companies (Results Only Work Environment) where employees can do their work when they want, where they want. They don’t even need to come into the office. As long as they get their work done, how they do that is of no concern to the company.

Talk about the antidote to fear! Given the choice, with commensurate pay, wouldn’t you choose to work in a ROWE company?

I devoured Drive in two days. It’s that easy a read and that engaging. I found myself feeling excited, fluid with ideas, and eager to reinvest myself into my own life. I want everyone I know to read this book. Rarely do I make a plea to whomever may read my newsletters, yet I make one now: please buy and read this book. You owe it to yourself, to those with who you work or whom you may manage, and—as Pink so well documents—the world.

As he says, lots of people have been promoting the same concepts for decades that he is summarizing in Drive.

Perhaps, the world is now ready to listen.

"Motivation is when your dreams put on work clothes."
~ Author Unknown ~

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