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Career consultant Dan Pink explores the incentive question, starting with a fact that social scientists recognize, but most executives don’t: conventional incentives aren’t always as successful as we expect. Listen to the experiences that show — and perhaps a path ahead.

What is our motivation to work? It’s not just wealth, counter to conventional wisdom. But it’s not joy either. It seems that by making constant progress and feeling a sense of purpose, most of us thrive. Behavioral economist Dan Ariely presents two eye-opening experiments revealing our unexpected and nuanced meaningful attitudes in our work.

Tom Wujec offers some remarkably in-depth research on the “marshmallow question” — a straightforward team-building activity involving dry spaghetti, a tape yard, and a marshmallow.

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi asks, “What makes a life worth living?” Noting that money can not make us happy, he looks at those who find pleasure and long-lasting satisfaction in activities that create a “flow” state.

Why are people at work feeling so depressed and disengaged? As today’s companies are becoming increasingly complex and dizzying— and conventional management structures are obsolete, says Yves Morieux. Therefore, he notes, it’s up to individual workers to negotiate the interdependence order of the bunny. Morieux provides six guidelines for “good usability” in this lively talk (Rule one: grasp what you’re thinking about).

The greatest task of leadership is met by an orchestra conductor: to establish perfect harmony without saying a word. Itay Talgam demonstrates the unique styles of six great conductors of the 20th century in this delightful chat, highlighting important lessons for all politicians.

What if your life wasn’t dominated by your job? Ricardo Semler, Brazilian CEO, embraces a revolutionary form of corporate democracy, rethinking everything from board meetings to how employees submit (they don’t have to) their vacation days. It’s a philosophy that honors employees ‘ experience, encourages job-life balance — and contributes to some deep insight into what the real purpose of work and life is.