Daniel Pink is a fellow Northwestern graduate and when his book was published in 2009, I invited him to present his thinking to our global leadership team in 2010. He was magnificent. His subtitle, “The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us”, sets the table for a fresh contemplation of motivation in the workplace in the 21st century. In a simple, clear and convincing fashion, he challenges every leader to reexamine their assumptions on motivation as it relates to the leadership of their organization. In particular, he helped me see more clearly beyond “the carrot and the stick” with a deeper examination of what he calls the three elements of true motivation — autonomy, mastery and purpose. I also enjoyed some of his practical tips for advancing this work.

– D. R. Conant