Grab your copy of Nicolas' book, The Mammoth in the Room, here: https://mammothleadershipsciences.com/book/

Motivation strategies are essential for any leader looking to build a productive, engaged team—without depending on bonuses or promotions. In today’s episode, we will explore intrinsic motivation and how you, as a leader, can foster it within your team.

Drawing on research by Ayelet Fishbach and Kaitlin Woolley, we will discuss why intrinsic motivation—doing work for the sheer joy it brings rather than for external rewards—has the power to transform team dynamics. We will also explore the “means-ends fusion” concept, where the activity itself becomes rewarding.

The conversation highlights the value of immediate rewards and the three psychological needs that sustain intrinsic motivation: autonomy, competence, and social connection. By finding the right balance between intrinsic and extrinsic motivators, you can create a more engaged, motivated team.

Join the conversation now to learn how you can build a work environment where motivation comes from within.

In this episode:

- What is intrinsic motivation?

- The role of immediate rewards

- Meeting basic psychological needs

- Balancing intrinsic and extrinsic motivation

- Practical motivation tips for leaders

Resource Mentioned in the Episode:

Fishbach, Ayelet, and Kaitlin Woolley. "The structure of intrinsic motivation." Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior 9, no. 1 (2022): 339-363. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/356062770_The_Structure_of_Intrinsic_Motivation

Get in Touch:

Website: https://www.mammothleadershipsciences.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaspokorny

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MammothLeadershipSciences

Grab your copy of Nicolas' book, The Mammoth in the Room here: https://mammothleadershipsciences.com/book/

Stepping into a new leadership role often means leading an inherited team, which brings its own unique set of challenges. Acceptance and respect isn’t instant. You need to foster trust, develop relationships, and understand your team’s development needs. Today’s episode will guide you on this journey.

We’ll cover seven essential steps to building a team that feels like your own. You’ll learn how to build on the initial trust you’ll be granted and gain genuine respect from your team. Start by bringing a trusted “lieutenant” by your side—someone who shares your values and has your back.

Trusting your gut is equally crucial, especially in hiring decisions, as intuition often reveals insights beyond resumes and interviews. Instead of letting employees go after mistakes, invest in their growth to help them learn and improve. Plus, consider appointing a “court jester” who can provide unfiltered feedback to keep you grounded.

Tune in to the full episode to learn how these and other strategies can help you create a high-performing team aligned with your leadership vision. For more insights, check out my book, The Mammoth in the Room.

In this episode:

- Tip 1: Bring a trusted individual to the team

- Tip 2: Trust your gut instinct

- Tip 3: Trust is given, not earned

- Tip 4: Don’t invest in your competition

- Tip 5: Appoint a ‘court jester’ for honest feedback

- Tip 6: Hire for your blind spots

- Tip 7: Avoid team complacency

Get in Touch:

Website: https://www.mammothleadershipsciences.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaspokorny

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MammothLeadershipSciences

Nicolas' book, The Mammoth in the Room, is available now!

Grab your copy here: https://mammothleadershipsciences.com/book/

Corporate leadership involves endless meetings, presentations, customer interactions, and travel, which require energy. Hence, you must prioritize managing your physical, mental, and emotional energy rather than just focusing on time management to avoid burnout.

Today, we’ll explore research-backed strategies for maintaining peak performance through physical fitness, balanced nutrition, hydration, and emotional resilience. We’ll highlight studies linking regular exercise with improved cognitive function, decision-making, and dealing with stress effectively.

Business is not a sprint. It's a marathon. So, don't burn your energy in the first hundred meters. Listen to the full episode for practical tips to gain and maintain the energy and resilience necessary for lasting leadership success.

In this episode:

- Why energy management is critical for leaders

- Physical fitness and leadership performance

- The role of nutrition in leadership success

- The importance of staying hydrated

- Practical steps to manage your energy

- The big 3s of role changes: Lessons Learned

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

Schwartz, T., & McCarthy, C. (2007). Manage Your Energy, Not Your Time. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2007/10/manage-your-energy-not-your-time

Fernandes, Rafael M., Marcio G. Correa, Marcio AR Dos Santos, Anna PCPSC Almeida, Nathalia CF Fagundes, Lucianne C. Maia, and Rafael R. Lima. "The Effects of Moderate Physical Exercise on Adult Cognition: A Systematic Review." Frontiers in Physiology, 9 (2018): 667. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6002532/

Imboden, M. (2024). Maintaining Brain Health: An Imperative for Successful Aging and Business Performance. American Journal of Health Promotion, 38(4), 576-589. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/08901171241232042

World Health Organization. (2020). Physical Activity Guidelines. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240015128

Get in Touch:

Website: https://www.mammothleadershipsciences.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaspokorny

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MammothLeadershipSciences?sub_confirmation=1