In Part II of three episodes, Dan Pink answers questions from listeners. Each insight could be a discussion unto itself. Listen in on how organizations can navigate remote work challenges, better leverage older workers, the pros and cons of fear as a motivator, selling insights, the bane of busyness, how technology can hinder and help, and the power of kindness.
Key Takeaways
[1:35] Q: What is the hardest thing to sell? Selling something that goes against the person’s existing identity and moral beliefs.
[6:25] A lot of the issues people tend to have are typically due to time constraints, not lack of desire. The key is being able to focus 100% in the moment when you’re doing a task.
[8:20] Q: Your thoughts on remote work and how can companies maximize this? Face-to-face social connection is hugely important towards maximizing human connection and productivity.
[10:25] Q: Where does fear serve us and where does it hinder us? Fear shouldn’t be used as a leadership motivator, but that doesn’t mean leaders should abandon it entirely.
[14:05] Q: Advice for older workers? Spend time with people who are younger than you and you are an undervalued asset.
[18:20] Q: Thoughts on ‘always being busy’? Being busy is a performance and when you’re busy you don’t have to face the ‘harder’ life questions.
[22:10] Q: In this technological environment, is bureaucracy decreasing or increasing in our organization? The answer is ‘yes.’
[23:55] Q: What advice would you give to your 20-year-old self? Dan’s 20-year-old self wouldn’t listen to him.
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Quotable Quotes
“What we do is make visceral emotional decisions and then use reason to justify that emotional belief.” Share on X “People shouldn’t be remote working all the time. You have to bring people together face-to-face.” Share on X “Fear is very short term. Fear allows you to see up close, but fear doesn’t allow you to see out into the future.” Share on X “These middle-aged workers are much more valuable than companies are realizing. They are an undervalued asset.” Share on X “My 20-year-old self was so incredibly sure of himself and so not open to other interpretation, and so lacking in humility.” Share on X “Don’t go based on your assumptions about how the world works. Ask questions and try to find stuff out.” Share on X “Be kinder. Act with more kindness. The older I get, the more I value kindness and understand the influence of kindness in the world.” Share on XWhere to follow Dan Pink
- Twitter: @DanielPink
- Facebook: @DanielHPink
- Website: DanPink.com
Additional Resources
These are the books mentioned in Dan’s podcasts.
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