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Podcast: Leadership Article Review Podcast
Episode: Unlocking Human Potential: A Practitioner's Guide to Motivation Theory in Organizational Settings, by Jonathan H. Westover PhD
Description:
Abstract: Motivation remains one of the most critical yet complex drivers of organizational performance and individual wellbeing. This article synthesizes contemporary motivation theory—including self-determination theory, social cognitive theory, goal-orientation frameworks, and attribution theory—to provide evidence-based guidance for practitioners navigating workforce engagement challenges. Drawing on recent empirical research and organizational case examples across healthcare, technology, and manufacturing sectors, we demonstrate how understanding the interplay between intrinsic drivers (autonomy, competence, relatedness) and extrinsic factors (incentives, recognition, structure) enables leaders to design interventions that sustain performance while fostering psychological wellbeing. The analysis reveals that organizations achieving superior outcomes integrate multiple moti...