Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 — Dhpmccullought, via Wikimedia Commons
Image used for identification and editorial purposes. Name and likeness remain the property of their owner.
Purpose & Motivation keynote speakers
Daniel Pink
Bestselling Author of Drive & To Sell Is Human
- Keynote · Fireside chat · Moderation
- English
Headliner can arrange a booking with Daniel Pink or their representative. This profile is compiled from public sources; availability and fees are confirmed on request. A listing here does not imply endorsement, affiliation, partnership, or exclusivity.
Signature keynotes
What your audience walks away with
- Outcome
Drive — The New Science of Motivation (signature)
Based on his landmark bestseller (159 weeks on the New York Times list) and one of the most-watched TED talks of all time. Why the old carrot-and-stick model fails for modern work, and how autonomy, mastery, and purpose unlock engagement, innovation, and better performance — with practical moves leaders can make immediately.
To Sell Is Human — The Surprising Truth About Moving Others
Based on his AMA Berry-Prize-winning book. Whether or not "sales" is in your title, you spend your day moving others — persuading, pitching, convincing. Daniel replaces the pushy-salesman cliché with a science-backed toolkit: attunement, buoyancy, and clarity. A favorite for sales kickoffs.
When — The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing
Based on When (Amazon's Best Business Book of 2018). Timing isn't an art — it's a science. How to structure the day around your natural peaks and troughs, use breaks as a performance tool, and time beginnings, midpoints, and endings for maximum impact.
The Power of Regret — How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward
Based on his World Regret Survey of 15,000+ people across 105 countries. Regret is our most misunderstood emotion — and, handled well, one of our most useful. How confronting regret systematically sharpens decisions, speeds learning, and strengthens culture and resilience.
The Surprising Path to the Good Life
A synthesis keynote drawing across his body of work — a science-grounded, genuinely useful take on leading a more satisfying and meaningful professional and personal life.
The story
Who Daniel actually is
Daniel H. Pink grew up in Columbus, Ohio, graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Northwestern University as a Truman Scholar, and earned a law degree from Yale, where he was editor-in-chief of the Yale Law & Policy Review — and then, by his own account, never practiced a day of law.
Instead he went into public service, serving as an aide to Labor Secretary Robert Reich and, from 1995 to 1997, as chief speechwriter to Vice President Al Gore. In late 1997 he wrote a Fast Company cover essay, "Free Agent Nation," about the rise of independent work — and turned it into his first book. Six more followed.
Daniel is the author of seven New York Times bestsellers, several of them #1: Drive (the science of motivation), To Sell Is Human (the art and science of moving others), When (the science of timing), The Power of Regret (2022), A Whole New Mind, The Adventures of Johnny Bunko, and Free Agent Nation. His books have been translated into roughly 46 languages and sold millions of copies. His TED Talk on the puzzle of motivation has been viewed more than 40 million times.
Named to the Thinkers50 ranking of the world's most influential business thinkers for six consecutive years, Daniel has also hosted the National Geographic series Crowd Control and, since 2024, writes as a contributing columnist for The Washington Post. He lives in Washington, D.C.
The receipts
Books & publications
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us
2009autonomy, mastery, and purpose beat carrot-and-stick incentives; 159 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list.
To Sell Is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others
2012the modern science of persuasion; winner of the American Marketing Association's Berry Book Prize.
When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing
2018evidence-based strategies for timing work, rest, and decisions; Amazon's Best Business Book of 2018.
The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward
2022how our most misunderstood emotion, used well, sharpens decisions and elevates performance.
A Whole New Mind
2005why creative, right-brain aptitudes increasingly rule the conceptual economy.
The Adventures of Johnny Bunko
2008the first American business book told in manga form; six career lessons.
Free Agent Nation
2001the pioneering look at independent work and the rise of "free agents."
Gravity
Career highlights & recognition
- Recognition
Seven New York Times bestsellers
Drive, To Sell Is Human, When, The Power of Regret, A Whole New Mind, The Adventures of Johnny Bunko, Free Agent Nation
- Milestone
TED Talk "The Puzzle of Motivation"
40+ million views, one of the most-watched TED talks ever
- Recognition
Thinkers50
ranked among the world's top 15 business thinkers, six consecutive years
- Award2018
Berry-AMA Book Prize
· Amazon Best Business Book of 2018 (When)
- Milestone
~46 languages
millions of copies sold
- Credential
Former chief speechwriter to Vice President Al Gore
aide to Labor Secretary Robert Reich
- Credential
Contributing columnist, The Washington Post
- Credential
Host & co-executive producer, National Geographic's Crowd Control
- Credential
Northwestern (BA, Phi Beta Kappa, Truman Scholar)
and Yale Law (JD, editor-in-chief, Yale Law & Policy Review)
Booking with confidence
What to expect when you book Daniel
- 01
Compiled from public sources
This profile is built from public, verifiable material and stamped with the date it was last reviewed. Nothing here is a claim we cannot trace to a source.
- 02
Availability and fees, confirmed
Tell us your date and brief, and we confirm Daniel's availability and current fee on request. We never publish a fabricated figure or imply an exclusivity we do not hold.
- 03
Managed end to end
From first inquiry to the day itself, Headliner handles briefing, contracting, and logistics, so your team can focus on the event.
Answers
Booking questions, answered
What is Daniel Pink's speaking fee?
Daniel's fee is provided on request. It varies by date, location, format, and whether the engagement is in person or virtual. Share your brief and we'll come back with current pricing and availability.
Is Daniel Pink available for my event date?
Availability changes with Daniel's schedule and the season. Tell us your date and we'll confirm whether Daniel is open, and hold the slot while you decide.
What formats does Daniel offer?
Daniel is available for Keynote, Fireside chat, Moderation and Virtual engagements. We'll match the format to your audience and run-of-show.
What does Daniel speak about?
Daniel's keynote themes include Motivation, Sales and Social Science. Each talk is tailored to your audience and outcomes.
What languages does Daniel present in?
Daniel presents in English.
Where does Daniel travel from?
Daniel is based in Washington, D.C. and travels internationally for engagements; virtual sessions are also available.
Ready to book?
How to book Daniel — fees, availability & process
The fee context, real availability drivers, best-fit events, and the step-by-step booking process for Daniel.
Profile updated . Compiled from public sources — confirm current fees and availability with Headliner.
Book Daniel Pink through Headliner
Tell us about your event and we’ll confirm Daniel’s availability and fee — typically within four business hours.
Keep exploring
Speakers in the same vein
Entrepreneurship & Business
Daymond John
FUBU Founder & Original Shark Tank Investor
See Daymond John’s fee & availabilityEntrepreneurship & Business
Kevin O'Leary
"Mr. Wonderful" — Shark Tank Investor & Finance Authority
How to book Kevin O'LearyEntrepreneurship & Business
Barbara Corcoran
Founder, The Corcoran Group & Shark Tank Investor
See Barbara Corcoran’s fee & availability
Daniel Pink
Fee on request