Name: The puzzle of motivation
Uploaded: 2009-08-24T01:00:00Z
Duration: 18 min 22 s
Description: Career analyst Dan Pink examines the puzzle of motivation, starting with a fact that social scientists know but most managers don't: Traditional rewards aren't always as effective as we think. Listen for illuminating stories -- and maybe, a way forward.

Dan Pink: The puzzle of motivation

The puzzle of motivation

Career analyst Dan Pink examines the puzzle of motivation, starting with a fact that social scientists know but most managers don't: Traditional rewards aren't always as effective as we think. Listen for illuminating stories -- and maybe, a way forward.

Offering bigger rewards can actually make people perform worse on tasks that require creative thinking, as shown by experiments where cash incentives slowed problem-solving. While traditional motivators work for simple, rule-based jobs, they often undermine innovation and engagement in today's workplaces. The most effective companies now tap intrinsic motivators—autonomy, mastery, and purpose—to unlock higher productivity and satisfaction. Science shows that moving beyond outdated management assumptions is key to thriving in the 21st century.