RSA Animate – Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us.

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The surprising truth about what motivates us.

From Youtube: This lively RSA Animate, adapted from Dan Pink’s talk at the RSA, illustrates the hidden truths behind what really motivates us at home and in the workplace.

Dan Pink’s TED Talk

In his TED talk “The surprising truth about what motivates us,” Dan Pink challenges the traditional view that people are motivated by rewards and punishments. Instead, he argues that people are motivated by autonomy, mastery, and purpose.

Autonomy is the desire to have control over our own lives and to make our own choices. Mastery is the desire to improve our skills and to become better at something. Purpose is the desire to do something that is meaningful and that makes a difference in the world.

Pink supports his argument with research from a variety of fields, including psychology, economics, and neuroscience. He shows that when people are given autonomy, mastery, and purpose in their work, they are more productive, more creative, and more satisfied.

Pink also provides examples of organizations that are using autonomy, mastery, and purpose to motivate their employees. For example, he talks about a company called Atlassian that gives its employees 20% of their time to work on any project they want. This allows employees to pursue their own passions and to develop new skills.

Pink’s talk is a powerful and inspiring call for a new way of thinking about motivation. He argues that we need to move away from the traditional carrot-and-stick approach and focus on creating conditions where people can thrive.

Here are some key takeaways from Pink’s talk:

Rewards and punishments are not the best way to motivate people. In fact, they can often have the opposite effect, leading to decreased creativity and productivity.
People are motivated by autonomy, mastery, and purpose. When people are given control over their own lives, the opportunity to learn and grow, and the sense that their work is meaningful, they are more likely to be engaged and productive.
Organizations can create the conditions for people to thrive by giving them autonomy, mastery, and purpose. This can be done by giving employees more control over their work, providing them with opportunities to learn and develop, and connecting their work to a larger mission and purpose.

Pink’s talk has been viewed over 20 million times on TED and has been translated into over 50 languages. It is a must-watch for anyone who wants to understand how to motivate themselves and others.