Stop Trying to Motivate Your Employees (Do This Instead)

We've been thinking about motivation all wrong in HR. After 23 years as a Chief Learning Officer in healthcare, Dr. Roger Gerard reveals why traditional motivation tactics actually backfire - and shares what leaders should do instead. If you've ever wondered why your recognition programs aren't working, why throwing money at retention problems doesn't stick, or how to actually engage your team without gimmicky incentives, this episode is for you. In this conversation, we explore: Why it's NOT a leader's job to motivate people (and what their real job is) The difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation - and why it matters How compensation works as a "message of value" rather than a motivator Why most salary surveys are useless by the time you implement them The real relationship between money and engagement (hint: it's not what you think) How to build the deep relationships that actually drive performance Why top-down goal setting creates cynics and disengagement A fascinating case study of co-creating organizational vision with 5,000 employees When and how to set boundaries with chronic complainers Why most incentive programs are "downright dumb" and create manipulation instead of motivation Key Quote: "I don't get up on Monday morning waiting for somebody to motivate me. I know what I want to do with my day, with my time, with my life. Nobody has to motivate me for any of that. I motivate myself, and I believe that's true of most professionals. What leaders do is we mess it up." This episode will challenge how you think about motivation, compensation, and employee engagement. Roger's insights are based on decades of real-world experience and research, not just theory. About Dr. Roger Gerard:Roger Gerard is a speaker, author, and executive coach who spent 23 years as Chief Learning Officer at a healthcare organization in Wisconsin. He's the author of "Lead with Purpose" and "Owning the Room" and has worked with thousands of employees across multiple industries to cultivate authentic engagement. Resources mentioned: "Lead with Purpose" by Roger Gerard "Owning the Room" by Roger Gerard Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory (hygiene factors vs. motivators) Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs in workplace context Connect with Dr. Roger Gerard:Website: rogergerard.com Perfect for: HR professionals, people managers, executives, and anyone who wants to understand what actually drives human performance at work. Subscribe to HR Hub for weekly conversations with HR experts who share practical, evidence-based insights you can use immediately. Have a question about motivation, engagement, or consulting? Email me at [email protected] or connect with me on LinkedIn.