Pink argues that the secret to high performance and satisfaction in today's world is the deeply human need to direct our own lives, to learn and create new things, and to do better by ourselves and our world.

Introduction: The puzzling puzzles of Harry Harlow and Edward Deci --Part 1. A new operating system : The rise and fall of motivation 2.0 -- Seven reasons carrots and sticks (often) don't work -- ... And the special circumstances when they do -- Type I and Type X -- Part 2. The three elements : Autonomy -- Mastery -- Purpose -- Part 3. The Type I toolkit : Type I for individuals: nine strategies for awakening your motivation -- Type I for organizations: thirteen ways to improve your company, office, or group -- The zen of compensation: paying people the Type I way -- The zen of compensation reconsidered: are salespeople different? -- Type I for parents and educators: ten ideas for helping our kids -- The Type I reading list: fifteen essential books -- Listen to the gurus: seven business thinkers who get it -- The Type I fitness plan: four tips for getting (and staying) motivated to exercise -- Drive: the recap -- Drive: the glossary -- The Drive discussion guide: twenty conversation starters to keep you thinking and talking -- Find out more: about yourself and this topic.