The author has looked at four decades of scientific research on human motivation and found a mismatch between what science tells us and what organizations actually do. In this interview with "Educational Leadership," Pink shares his insights on how schools can create more optimal conditions for learning--and how they can dial up students' own motivation to learn. As parents, as teachers, as entire organizations, the instinct is toward greater control, thinking control is going to make something better. People, however, have two reactions to control: "comply," or "defy," which are not how we want children to respond--we want them engaged. The only way to truly have engaged kids, is by pulling back on control and creating the conditions in which they can tap their own inner motivations.