Author Daniel Pink to offer insights on motivation
The New York Times bestselling author Daniel H. Pink will uncover the secrets to high performance and satisfaction in today’s world on Dec. 1 in Sheslow Auditorium. Pink’s presentation, which will focus on insights from his latest book, “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us,” will begin at 7 p.m. and is free and open to Drake students, faculty and staff. A current Drake ID is required for entrance.
In his latest book, Pink connects the secrets to high performance and satisfaction in today’s world with the deeply human need to have control over and direct one’s own life and world. His message is grounded in years of scientific data that supports his overall message that people need intrinsic, rather than external, motivation to succeed.
“Pink’s message is focused on challenging students to understand themselves and to work with others to achieve a sense of mastery, a sense of purpose, and a certain level of autonomy in their work,” said Thomas Westbrook, professor of education and chair of the concentration in leadership (LEAD). “Pink’s message challenges us to move from being other-directed motivation toward self-directed.”
Planning for the presentation, which was made possible through cooperation with the Greater Des Moines Partnership and the Central Iowa Chapter of American Society for Training and Development, has been two years in the making.
“We were lucky to get Pink to come to Drake – he’s been traveling all over the world speaking to students and to people at the corporate level since the release of ‘Drive¸’” Westbrook said. “He’s an incredible writer and an incredible speaker with an incredible message that applies to students no matter what area they’re in.”
Director of Student Leadership and Service Programs Jan Wise said, “We feel that Pink is on the cutting edge of leadership with the books he’s written. It’s exciting to provide students with the opportunity to rub shoulders with someone that’s well known in their field, and the message of his presentation is an important one to hear.”
As students begin to take advantage of the new concentration in LEAD, to be offered at Drake next fall, the leadership message Pink offers is especially applicable.
“Leadership is ubiquitous at Drake, and Pink fits really well with this campus” Westbrook said, “We want to create an ambience for leadership and expose our student leaders to some of the best thinkers and experiences in leadership.”
Besides “Drive¸” Pink’s recent books include “A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future,” “The Adventures of Johnny Bunko: The Last Career Guide You’ll Ever Need” and “Free Agent Nation: The Future of Working for Yourself.” His articles on business and technology have appeared in publications including The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, Fast Company and Wired, where he is a contributing editor.
Pink has made a career of lecturing to corporations, associations and universities around the world on economic transformation and the new work place. A free agent himself, Pink’s last “real” job was held in the White House, as chief speechwriter to Vice President Al Gore.
Photo: Danpink.com