Daniel H. Pink author photo
Image via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Daniel H. Pink

Born: July 23, 1964 – Bexley, Ohio, United States

Daniel H. Pink is an American author best known for bestselling books on business, motivation, and behavioral science, including Drive, A Whole New Mind, and To Sell Is Human. His works have sold over five million copies, been translated into 46 languages, and have reshaped understanding of workplace behavior and human motivation globally.

Biography & Author's Journey

Daniel H. Pink was born in 1964 and grew up in Bexley, Ohio, where an early love for writing was fostered through participation in his high school newspaper. This formative experience, combined with an upbringing filled with public libraries and team sports, gave Pink an enduring appreciation for learning and the written word. After graduating from Bexley High School, he attended Northwestern University, where he was a Truman Scholar and elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He later earned a law degree from Yale Law School, serving as editor-in-chief of the Yale Law & Policy Review, but ultimately decided not to pursue a legal career.

Show More

Quotes

quote
Control leads to compliance; autonomy leads to engagement
-Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us
quote
Human beings have an innate inner drive to be autonomous, self-determined, and connected to one another. And when that drive is liberated, people achieve more and live richer lives
-Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us
quote
Greatness and nearsightedness are incompatible. Meaningful achievement depends on lifting one's sights and pushing toward the horizon
-Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us
quote
There is a mismatch between what science knows and what business does
-TED Talk: The Puzzle of Motivation
quote
If you want people to perform better, you reward them, right? Bonuses, commissions, their own reality show. Incentivize them. But that's not happening here. ... It dulls thinking and blocks creativity
-TED Talk: The Puzzle of Motivation
quote
The future belongs to a very different kind of person with a very different kind of mind—creators and empathizers, pattern recognizers and meaning makers
-A Whole New Mind
quote
True motivation comes from autonomy, mastery, and purpose
-Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us
quote
The purpose of a pitch isn’t necessarily to move others immediately to adopt your idea, but to offer something so compelling that it begins a conversation
-To Sell Is Human
quote
When we make progress and get better at something, it is inherently motivating. In order for people to make progress, they have to get feedback and information on how they’re doing
-Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us
quote
Attunement is the ability to bring one's actions and outlook into harmony with other people and with the context you're in
-To Sell Is Human

Discover more

Decode Human Nature for Business Success

Decode Human Nature for Business Success

LEARNING PLAN

Decode Human Nature for Business Success

Understanding the psychological drivers of behavior is the ultimate competitive advantage in modern commerce. This learning plan is designed for leaders and entrepreneurs who want to master decision-making, persuasion, and emotional intelligence to drive better business outcomes.

2 h 30 m5 Sections
Human behavior

Human behavior

LEARNING PLAN

Human behavior

Understanding the hidden drivers of human nature is essential for navigating social dynamics and making smarter personal choices. This plan is ideal for leaders, marketers, or anyone looking to master behavioral psychology and improve their interpersonal influence.

2 h 35 m4 Sections
Robert Greene: The Power & Human Nature Pod

Robert Greene: The Power & Human Nature Pod

LEARNING PLAN

Robert Greene: The Power & Human Nature Pod

This plan distills Robert Greene's essential wisdom on influence and social dynamics into actionable lessons. It is ideal for leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone seeking to navigate human nature with greater strategic clarity and psychological insight.

3 h 59 m4 Sections
Study Mind, Business & Human Behavior

Study Mind, Business & Human Behavior

LEARNING PLAN

Study Mind, Business & Human Behavior

This plan bridges the gap between cognitive science and professional leadership, offering a deep dive into why humans act the way they do. It is ideal for managers, marketers, and entrepreneurs who want to leverage psychological insights to drive better business outcomes and team performance.

2 h 29 m4 Sections
Listen to books to improve work performance

Listen to books to improve work performance

LEARNING PLAN

Listen to books to improve work performance

This plan is designed for professionals looking to maximize their output by leveraging insights from top-tier business literature. It provides a roadmap for anyone wanting to master focus, communication, and peak effectiveness in a distracted world.

2 h 58 m4 Sections
Master Persuasion, Psychology & Self-Control

Master Persuasion, Psychology & Self-Control

LEARNING PLAN

Master Persuasion, Psychology & Self-Control

This plan bridges the gap between understanding others and mastering yourself by combining behavioral science with practical discipline. It is ideal for leaders, professionals, and individuals seeking to improve their emotional intelligence and decision-making framework.

2 h 43 m4 Sections
The Best Motivational Books
BOOKS

The Best Motivational Books

Boost your drive with the best motivational books to spark action, build discipline, and reignite your passion for life and success.

BeFreed team

Master Psychology, Habits & Innovation

Master Psychology, Habits & Innovation

LEARNING PLAN

Master Psychology, Habits & Innovation

This plan is essential for professionals and creators looking to bridge the gap between understanding human intent and driving actual behavior change. It is ideal for leaders, designers, and entrepreneurs who want to master the science of influence and innovation to build better products and habits.

3 h 7 m4 Sections

Community Voices

"Daniel H. Pink is an American non-fiction writer who has authored seven New York Times bestsellers"

Wikipedia

"Daniel H. Pink was chief speechwriter for Vice President Al Gore from 1995 to 1997"

Wikipedia

"Daniel H. Pink’s TED Talk on motivation is one of the 25 most popular TED Talks ever, with over 41 million views"

Wikipedia

"Daniel H. Pink is recognized for blending research in economics, psychology, and biology to offer insights on human behavior and motivation"

Book Series In Order

"Daniel H. Pink's book 'When' was named the best book of 2018 by Amazon and iBooks and spent four months on the New York Times bestseller list"

Book Series In Order

"Daniel H. Pink's work inspires readers to rethink salesmanship, framing it as an essential life skill"

MasterClass

"Daniel H. Pink's books, including 'Drive' and 'To Sell Is Human,' have received multiple awards and been translated into 39 languages"

Book Series In Order

"Daniel H. Pink is a bestselling author and expert in business and social science, known for his authority on motivation and persuasion"

MasterClass

"Daniel H. Pink has written on work, business, and politics for The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, and Wired"

ThriftBooks

"Daniel H. Pink has appeared as a guest on networks such as CBS, ABC, PBS, and CNN discussing his research and books"

MasterClass

FAQs about this page

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 1,000,000 Curious Minds

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star
1.5K Ratings4.7
Start your learning journey, now