Purpose, autonomy, and finally: mastery

By William Seidman Dan Pink in Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us names autonomy, mastery and purpose as key factors in creating intrinsic motivation. He describes them as equal, but Cerebyte’s experience is that purpose is the foundation for the other two. People are inspired and motivated by a sense of purpose — and it inspires them to put in the extra work that creates mastery. In turn, purpose-driven mastery creates trust which allows organizations to provide autonomy. Once in place, these factors are self-reinforcing, but they start with purpose. Purpose is the positive deviant’s “social good” and is the foundation for motivating others. Want to read Drive with a group? It’s the New Yorker Online Book Club’s March pick. ]]>