---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The most fulfilling jobs share a common…"
description: "\"“The most fulfilling jobs share a common trait: They prod us to work at our highest level but in a way that we, not someone else, control.”\" — Daniel H..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc2/daniel-h-pink-1532_fulfilling_the-most-fulfilling-jobs-share-a-common_1515769.png"
---

#  The most fulfilling jobs share a common trait: They prod…

![“The most fulfilling jobs share a common trait: They prod us to work at our highest level but in a way that we, not someone else, control.” quote by Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc2/daniel-h-pink-1532_fulfilling_the-most-fulfilling-jobs-share-a-common_1515769.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc2/daniel-h-pink-1532_fulfilling_the-most-fulfilling-jobs-share-a-common_1515769.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc2/daniel-h-pink-1532_fulfilling_the-most-fulfilling-jobs-share-a-common_1515769.png)

> ““The most fulfilling jobs share a common trait: They prod us to work at our highest level but in a way that we, not someone else, control.””

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Jobs that let people control their work and operate at peak ability are most fulfilling.

**In simple terms:** Control and high-level work bring fulfillment.

Key Takeaway

Seek autonomy and mastery in work.

Themes

motivation autonomy mastery

Mood

motivational analytical

Type

inspirational practical

When to use this quote

- job design
- self‑direction
- performance excellence

Key Concepts

psychology career satisfaction

Questions to Reflect On

- Do you have control over your tasks?
- How can you increase autonomy?

A Different Perspective

Not all roles allow such control.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

## Related quotes

> [The most common trait of all primitive peoples is a reverence for the life-giving earth, and the Native American shared this elemental ethic: The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stewart-udall/the-most-common-trait-of-all-primitive-peoples-is-a-reverence-for-the/)

[Stewart Udall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stewart-udall/)

> [If successful people have one common trait, it's an utter lack of cynicism. The world owes them nothing. They go out and find what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-zimmer/if-successful-people-have-one-common-trait-it-s-an-utter-lack-of/)

Mike Zimmer

> [“All underearners, without question, share one common trait: a high tolerance for low”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-stanny/all-underearners-without-question-share-one-common-trait-a-high/)

Barbara Stanny

> [This will always be a nation of immigrants. It is the one common trait we all share.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-parson/this-will-always-be-a-nation-of-immigrants-it-is-the-one-common-trait/)

[Mike Parson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-parson/)

> [It's possible to do your best work at your highest level without competing. I'm not anticompetition, but at an individual level, it can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-pettibon/it-s-possible-to-do-your-best-work-at-your-highest-level-without/)

[Raymond Pettibon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-pettibon/)

> [In the world of thought a man's rank is determined, not by his average work, but by his highest achievement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lancaster-spalding/in-the-world-of-thought-a-man-s-rank-is-determined-not-by-his-average/)

[John Lancaster Spalding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lancaster-spalding/)

> [The important thing to me is that I'm not driven by people's praise and I'm not slowed down by people's criticism. I'm just trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-crowe/the-important-thing-to-me-is-that-i-m-not-driven-by-people-s-praise/)

[Russell Crowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-crowe/)

> [You've always got to work to your highest ability level. When times are great and restaurants are jamming, that's when some restaurants get sloppy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-symon/you-ve-always-got-to-work-to-your-highest-ability-level-when-times/)

[Michael Symon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-symon/)

> [Really and truly, everyone just wants to be paid for what they've done, so they can continue to do it, and see your work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joivan-wade/really-and-truly-everyone-just-wants-to-be-paid-for-what-they-ve-done/)

[Joivan Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joivan-wade/)

> [It has been said that work is the highest form of play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-ponder/it-has-been-said-that-work-is-the-highest-form-of-play/)

[Catherine Ponder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-ponder/)

> [I had this perfect situation where my studio was a three-minute walk away, and every day I would go to the studio. If I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-lucia/i-had-this-perfect-situation-where-my-studio-was-a-three-minute-walk/)

[St. Lucia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-lucia/)

> [I'm a big believer in regularity. My father taught me that. Get up early, get your work done, and that's, what, your highest level…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-mccarthy/i-m-a-big-believer-in-regularity-my-father-taught-me-that-get-up/)

[Mike McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-mccarthy/)

> [As an undergraduate at Amherst College, I was devoted to Dickensian novels and antiestablishment journalism while marginally fulfilling premedical requirements.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-e-varmus/as-an-undergraduate-at-amherst-college-i-was-devoted-to-dickensian/)

[Harold E. Varmus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-e-varmus/)

> [When the government pays, health care's lack of affordability becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. In health care, as in other things, government is the high-cost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-kling/when-the-government-pays-health-care-s-lack-of-affordability-becomes/)

[Arnold Kling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-kling/)

> [The whole purpose of annual reviews is to keep you abreast of whether or not you are fulfilling the requirements of tenure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-finkelstein/the-whole-purpose-of-annual-reviews-is-to-keep-you-abreast-of-whether/)

[Norman Finkelstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-finkelstein/)

## More by Daniel H. Pink

> [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/human-beings-have-an-innate-inner-drive-to-be-autonomous-self/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

> [“morning people to be pleasant, productive folks—“introverted,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/morning-people-to-be-pleasant-productive-folks-introverted/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

> [“tweeters felt active, engaged, and hopeful—generally rose in the morning, plummeted in the afternoon”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/tweeters-felt-active-engaged-and-hopeful-generally-rose-in-the/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

> [“The longer it takes for a boss to respond to their e-mails, the less satisfied people are with their leader.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/the-longer-it-takes-for-a-boss-to-respond-to-their-e-mails-the-less/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

> [For creative tasks, the best approach is often just to hire great people and get out of their way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/for-creative-tasks-the-best-approach-is-often-just-to-hire-great/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

> [“The less evidence of extrinsic motivation during art school, the more success in professional art both several years after graduation and nearly twenty years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/the-less-evidence-of-extrinsic-motivation-during-art-school-the-more/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

> [If you look at the very best presidents, the most effective presidents, they were always decent salespeople. Ronald Reagan was an extremely effective salesman,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/if-you-look-at-the-very-best-presidents-the-most-effective-presidents/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

> [“the more they chat and gossip—the more they get done”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/the-more-they-chat-and-gossip-the-more-they-get-done/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

> [“continuing to think about job demands during breaks may result in strain.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/continuing-to-think-about-job-demands-during-breaks-may-result-in/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

> [“The quality of the problem that is found is a forerunner of the quality of the solution that is attained . . .” Getzels concluded.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/the-quality-of-the-problem-that-is-found-is-a-forerunner-of-the/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

> [When we make progress and get better at something, it is inherently motivating. In order for people to make progress, they have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/when-we-make-progress-and-get-better-at-something-it-is-inherently/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

> [“innovation and creativity are greatest when we are not at our best”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/innovation-and-creativity-are-greatest-when-we-are-not-at-our-best/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

> [“Temporal landmarks slow our thinking, allowing us to deliberate at a higher level and make better decisions”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/temporal-landmarks-slow-our-thinking-allowing-us-to-deliberate-at-a/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

> [“Jobs that offer autonomy but little challenge bore us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/jobs-that-offer-autonomy-but-little-challenge-bore-us/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

> [“richest experiences in our lives aren’t when we’re clamoring for validation from others, but when we’re listening to our own voice—doing something that matters,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/richest-experiences-in-our-lives-aren-t-when-we-re-clamoring-for/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

[Explore all 230 Daniel H. Pink quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

## More Fulfilling quotes

> [The whole purpose of annual reviews is to keep you abreast of whether or not you are fulfilling the requirements of tenure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-finkelstein/the-whole-purpose-of-annual-reviews-is-to-keep-you-abreast-of-whether/)

[Norman Finkelstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-finkelstein/)

> [When the government pays, health care's lack of affordability becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. In health care, as in other things, government is the high-cost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-kling/when-the-government-pays-health-care-s-lack-of-affordability-becomes/)

[Arnold Kling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-kling/)

> [As an undergraduate at Amherst College, I was devoted to Dickensian novels and antiestablishment journalism while marginally fulfilling premedical requirements.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-e-varmus/as-an-undergraduate-at-amherst-college-i-was-devoted-to-dickensian/)

[Harold E. Varmus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-e-varmus/)

> [When youre a stay-at-home mother you have to pretend its really boring, but its not. Its enriching and fulfilling, and an amazing experience. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-poehler/when-youre-a-stay-at-home-mother-you-have-to-pretend-its-really/)

[Amy Poehler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-poehler/)

> [There is nothing more appalling than the wholesale way in which unthinking people plead to the Almighty the richest and most spiritual of His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-henry-drummond/there-is-nothing-more-appalling-than-the-wholesale-way-in-which/)

[William Henry Drummond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-henry-drummond/)

> [In the darkest of times, the most fulfilling thing in the world is finding the light.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-mcafee/in-the-darkest-of-times-the-most-fulfilling-thing-in-the-world-is/)

[Pat McAfee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-mcafee/)

> [“Don't die without fulfilling your purpose.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaachynma-n-e-agu/don-t-die-without-fulfilling-your-purpose/)

[Jaachynma N.E. Agu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaachynma-n-e-agu/)

> [Life is self-fulfilling prophecy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/life-is-self-fulfilling-prophecy/)

[Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/)

> [Believing you are worthy of love means that you believe I deserve to be treated well - with respect and dignity. I deserve to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suze-orman/believing-you-are-worthy-of-love-means-that-you-believe-i-deserve-to/)

[Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/)

> [Fear creates its own self-fulfilling dynamic- as people give into it, they lose energy and momentum. Their lack of confidence translates into inaction that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/fear-creates-its-own-self-fulfilling-dynamic-as-people-give-into-it/)

[Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/)

> [In terms of earthly life as you understand it, it is overly optimistic to imagine that eventually all illnesses will be conquered, all relationships…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-roberts/in-terms-of-earthly-life-as-you-understand-it-it-is-overly-optimistic/)

[Jane Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-roberts/)

> [I think as long as acting feels fulfilling and continues to feel fulfilling, it's worth it to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cole-sprouse/i-think-as-long-as-acting-feels-fulfilling-and-continues-to-feel/)

[Cole Sprouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cole-sprouse/)

> [It is important that Miers not be confirmed unless, in her 61st year, she suddenly and unexpectedly is found to have hitherto undisclosed interests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-will/it-is-important-that-miers-not-be-confirmed-unless-in-her-61st-year/)

[George Will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-will/)

> [The easiest thing is to make sure you feel happy and satisfied in this moment. Setting long term goals is much more effort taking,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/the-easiest-thing-is-to-make-sure-you-feel-happy-and-satisfied-in/)

[Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/)

> [ I'm so thankful that I've had such a long and uninterrupted \[knocks wood\] career... I count my blessings every day for that because it… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/i-m-so-thankful-that-i-ve-had-such-a-long-and-uninterrupted-knocks/)

[Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/)

Browse all 823 Fulfilling quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“The most fulfilling jobs share a common trait: They prod us to work at our highest level but in a way that we, not someone else, control.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Daniel H. Pink"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/the-most-fulfilling-jobs-share-a-common-trait-they-prod-us-to-work-at/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Fulfilling"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/the-most-fulfilling-jobs-share-a-common-trait-they-prod-us-to-work-at/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc2/daniel-h-pink-1532_fulfilling_the-most-fulfilling-jobs-share-a-common_1515769.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc2/daniel-h-pink-1532_fulfilling_the-most-fulfilling-jobs-share-a-common_1515769.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc2/daniel-h-pink-1532_fulfilling_the-most-fulfilling-jobs-share-a-common_1515769.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The most fulfilling jobs share a common trait: They prod us to work at our highest level but in a way that…” — Daniel H. Pink",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Daniel H. Pink",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“The most fulfilling jobs share a...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/the-most-fulfilling-jobs-share-a-common-trait-they-prod-us-to-work-at/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/the-most-fulfilling-jobs-share-a-common-trait-they-prod-us-to-work-at/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```