Daniel H. Pink is the author of several provocative, bestselling books about business, work, and behavior. His books include the long-running New York Times bestseller A Whole New Mind and the #1 New York Times bestsellers Drive and To Sell is Human. His books have won multiple awards and have been translated into 37 languages. 

For the last six years, London-based Thinkers 50 named him, alongside Michael Porter and Clayton Christensen, as one of the top 15 business thinkers in the world.

Before venturing out on his own 20 years ago, Dan worked in several positions in politics and government, including serving as the chief speechwriter to Vice President Al Gore (1995 to 1997) .

I watched him talk about his new book When:The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, where he spoke about how the hidden pattern of the day profoundly affects our mood and performance. I was lucky enough to get a chance to interview him for my project.

People aren’t aiming high enough. They aren’t being challenged enough.

If you could be rich with one thing, what would it be?

Empathy. And I know that I might be able to contribute a little bit more to it.

If you could give more of one thing that you have, what would it be and why?

Hmm..I think I would say challenge. I would give more challenges to the world. The reason for that is, I don’t think that we’re operating at the top of our abilities. I think our aspirations are sometimes too low and the use of our own abilities is less than it could actually be. People aren’t aiming high enough. They aren’t being challenged enough.