Many of our low income,


minority schools are within 100 points of closing the achievement gap, a prize worth working for no


matter how uncomfortable, inconvenient or risky.


T


his summer I read Daniel Pink’s book, “Drive: The Surprising Truth about what Motivates us” (2009). It made clear to me that


things often operate below our everyday level of consciousness, especially in the area of why we do or don’t do what we do. This is very important in my field, as my job is to motivate educators to try new things that will accelerate student learning. Pink reveals two sets of conditions that


motivate people. Both are research-based and date back to the 1950s, but most insti- tutions and experts have largely ignored one, described below. The other – carrots and sticks – seems to have won the publicity battle for the past 60 years. Unfortunately, it promotes extrinsic motivation and works only in a limited set of circumstances, if at all. Yet its long history, popularity and common-sense foundation remain firmly established. Indeed, most corporations and government institutions unflinchingly rely on it daily – and that, unfortunately, in- cludes schools. Pink’s book outlines an alternative set of


32 Leadership


three elements or conditions that do a much better job of motivating us intrinsically to try hard, do our best, be successful at what- ever we undertake, and do so willingly. They are autonomy, mastery and purpose. They underpin the success stories of many organizations, musicians, athletes, politi- cians, and various and sundry geniuses. 1. Autonomy means that we have to be


able to do a task without being microman- aged and guided every step of the way. We get a healthy dose of operating on our own. In short, we have some voice and choice in how we accomplish the task, how we solve problems, and how we make the journey to success. 2. Mastery means we engage in trying


to get really good at something. It is based on the belief that growth and effort trump innate talent. It takes time, deliberate prac- tice, guidance, even good instruction, but it’s worth it. And the journey becomes as important as the outcome.


By Dennis Parker


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