One thing that I pride myself in is that I read more than just techie books. Heck, I have about 6-8 computer related books (Clean Code, Code Complete, CSS Mastery, CSS: The Missing Manual, Don’t Make Me Think, and Rocket Surgery Made Easy) along with some books specialized towards very specific products such as Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Sharepoint, etc (more like reference books). However, the rest of the books I read, and they are the vast majority, deal with people. I have a place in my heart for sociology. Why people do what they do. Why people buy what they buy? I’ve read many books about the subject, like Buyology or Predictably Irrational (I preferred Buyology). Anyway, the point of this is to explain that I have two favorite authors: Daniel H. Pink and Malcolm Gladwell. First and foremost, I highly recommend reading Pink’s “A Whole New Mind” and all of Gladwell’s books as time permits (The Tipping Point, Outliers, and others are all great).
Recently, though, I finished reading Pink’s newest book “Drive.” It was a very interesting read because it challenges the theory that most people work for money. The more money you give an individual, the more likely they’re going to do better work. However, this “carrot and stick” model doesn’t work all the time. It only works with mechanical tasks, or tasks that can be performed over and over again without much thought. Other tasks though, like designers, programmers, have other desires. Obviously, they all desire a certain amount of money to live their life. Afterward, though, they have a desire to be autonomous, mastery, and purpose.
If you don’t have the time to read the book, I’ve come across this video which is a great 10 minute overview. Either way, this post now gives you a better idea of who I am and what I believe in AND, most importantly, how to succeed in the next generation of the work force.
By the way, be sure to check out all of our recommended reading here and if you’re ever curious about what’s on our wishlist click here.
