The Science of Motivation & Engagement

A research-driven approach to understanding what truly fuels teams—and how to influence it.

Most managers try to make their people “happy.” But happiness is fleeting. Engagement, however, is enduring—it's how someone sees their work, their role, and their commitment to the team. In this module, you’ll learn the essential differences between motivation and engagement, and—more importantly—how to shape both.

Using the groundbreaking research of Daniel Pink and Gallup, you’ll discover the real drivers behind human motivation and the exact levers managers can use to influence it. You’ll also learn why Gallup’s Q12 remains the gold standard for measuring engagement—and how you can start using its insights immediately, no HR team required.

Whether you’re leading two people or two hundred, this module gives you the practical, proven tools to elevate performance, increase ownership, and create a team that cares deeply about their work.

You’ll learn how to:

• Understand the three scientific drivers of motivation—autonomy, mastery, and purpose—and use them as practical levers with your team

• Differentiate happiness from engagement—and focus on the metric that actually matters

• Apply Gallup’s research-backed Q12 questions to improve team engagement immediately

• Identify why motivation dips—and diagnose the true root cause without guessing

• Influence motivation and engagement even when you can’t control pay, benefits, or company-wide policies

• Shift team behaviour by increasing clarity, meaning, and connection to purpose

• Create long-term engagement through everyday conversations, feedback, and leadership choices