Pink

=Daniel Pink =


 * Author of 4 provocative books about the changing world of work.
 * Obtained a law degree, did not pursue the law profession
 * Speechwriter for Al Gore in the 90s (last "real" job)
 * works as a free agent, traveling and giving motivational talks to the corporate world, primarily

His books and ideas:

 //**Free Agent Nation: The Future of Working for Yourself**//, (2002) From marketing consultants to "mompreneurs", Pink writes about the growing numbers of the self-employed.

//**[|The Adventures of Johnny Bunko: The Last Career Guide You’ll Ever Need]**//, (2008), published in a Japanese manga style graphic novel, this book tells the story of Johnny, a young man stuck in a dead end job who meets an unlikely career advisor, Diana. Diana reveals to him the 6 essential lessons for thriving in the world of work.

//**[|A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future],**// (2006), This book describes how the working world will change from left-brain dominated thinking and the Information Age to //"// //a new world in which “right brain” qualities-inventiveness, empathy, meaning-predominate."//

//**[|Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us]**//, ** (2009), ** External rewards are what motivate us, right? Well according to Pink and four decades of research "the carrot and stick" approach to motivating employees is not the way for business to go. In //Drive//, Pink reveals true motivation and how to inspire workers of the 21st century.


 * My Take**: When I first looked at this website, the first person that came to my mind was Malcolm Gladwell, author of the books, //Tipping Point// and //Blink.// He too takes a look at the psycho-sociological aspects of what drives humanity. Seeing how I am not a fan of Gladwell (my book club read //Tipping Point;// though I can see some points, I was not moved by his premise, so I did not read //Blink//), I was skeptical of Pink at first. In my 20 years in the working world I have heard, heard of, seen and read enough motivational speakers to choke on. It seems there is always the new way of thinking, a new revelation on humanity that is going to revolutionize society. I get tired of it. I am leery of self-starters who create a ideological product (in this case a motivational idea) and make money traveling around and selling that product.

But, I like some of the premises that Pink purports. For one I have never found money (extrinsic motivator) to motivate me. My rewards are intrinsic - contributing to society, making a difference, etc. which Pink speaks of in his book, //Drive//. And though I may be biased ( I am left-handed thus definitively right-brained), I can see how "right brain" qualities will be necessary in the 21st century. Being a career teacher for 8th graders, I want to instill in them character and thinking traits they will help them succeed in their future jobs. So I plan on reading //A Whole New Mind// to gather what I can from there//.// I also wonder if //Johnny Bunko// would be a book that engages my students because of its format. (jmbooth)