45. Why being Type A won’t save you...

Hi friends,

Welcome to the 45th dispatch of How Humans Flourish, a research-informed newsletter on how humans thrive.

For the month of November, we’re reading Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by #1 New York Times bestselling author Daniel Pink—a book that explores how autonomy, mastery, and purpose are at the core of our utmost potential—not through constant struggle, but by aligning with our deepest, most intrinsic motivations.

Type A vs. Type B: The Cost of the Ceaseless Struggle

In the 1950s, cardiologist Meyer Friedman noticed something profound about his heart disease patients. These patients shared certain behaviors: “excessive competition drive, aggressiveness, impatience, and a harrying sense of time urgency.” 

Friedman observed that these individuals were engaged in a “chronic, ceaseless, and often fruitless struggle—with themselves, with others, with circumstances, with time, sometimes with life itself.” (Pink, pg. 77 - Kindle)

He called this pattern “Type A,” and it marked a stark contrast to a calmer, more grounded “Type B” behavior. Type B personalities were just as intelligent and driven, but without the constant sense of hurry and hostility. They wore ambition with a quiet confidence, moving forward with a steadiness that enhanced their well-being rather than eroded it.

This revelation carries lessons far beyond heart disease. It offers insight into the kind of life where ambition supports our journey, not sabotages it.

Beyond Motivation 2.0: Moving from Extrinsic to Intrinsic Drive

In Drive, Pink explains how the “Motivation 2.0” model—which relies on rewards and punishments—is outdated in our rapidly evolving world. He advocates for “Motivation 3.0,” an approach rooted in our intrinsic desires, which he calls “Type I” motivation. This new model is based on our inherent need for autonomy, mastery, and purpose.

Unlike the path fueled by external rewards and recognition, Type I motivation “draws on resources that are easily replenished and inflict little damage. It is the motivational equivalent of clean energy: inexpensive, safe to use, and endlessly renewable.” (Pink, pg. 78 - Kindle)

At the heart of Type I motivation is autonomy, a core human need that transcends cultural or socioeconomic boundaries. This is not to be confused with rugged individualism; it’s about acting with intention and choice, all while remaining interconnected with others.  

Pink writes that autonomy is a “human concept rather than a Western one.” Citing researchers Edward Deci and Richard Ryan, he writes, “Researchers have found a link between autonomy and overall well-being not only in North America and Western Europe, but also in Russia, Turkey, and South Korea. Even in high-poverty non-Western locales like Bangladesh, social scientists have found that autonomy is something that people seek and that improves their lives.” (Pink, pg. 88 - Kindle)

To be autonomous is to engage life with a full sense of volition, to choose our path and be accountable for it. True autonomy actually enhances our accountability, as it brings ownership and responsibility to our work, our lives, and our relationships. 

Player… Never a Pawn

Pink purports autonomy is not merely a luxury for high-level creative executives, but a fundamental part of human nature—a quality that people have historically strived to protect and realize. 

“The course of human history has always moved in the direction of greater freedom. And there’s a reason for that—because it’s in our nature to push for it… Somebody stands in front of a tank in China. Women, who’ve been denied autonomy, keep advocating for rights. This is the course of history. This is why ultimately human nature, if it ever realizes itself, will do so by becoming more autonomous.” (Pink, pg. 106 - Kindle)

An interesting thought exercise for us all: I recently tuned in to a Live Stream replay from author Deepak Chopra’s Sages & Scientists Symposium, where a VIP dinner brought together esteemed panelists like Dr. Tyler VanderWeele, who leads Harvard’s Human Flourishing program. In an inspiring conversation, Chopra discussed his personal index for human actualization—charting a path from the least to the most actualized states:

1. Survival and safety

2. Adaptation

3. Thriving

4. Flourishing

5. Flow

6. Awakening

I’m still mulling over a wellbeing index that includes spiritual awakening—a concept we often associate with monks, priests, or ascetics. Yet, there is something interesting about setting our sights on such a deeply aspirational state. What do you think?

Next week, we’ll dive into the theme of mastery, which incorporates experiences of flow as a way of life.

With gratitude,

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