Forget pizza parties and pep talks — best-selling author and Front Row Seat podcast host Ken Coleman reveals why traditional motivation tactics fail and what actually drives employee engagement. Discover the three human needs that transform retention, productivity, and profitability, plus the two simple questions every leader should ask their team. Ken explains why your job isn’t to motivate anyone and shares his proven framework for helping employees find work they’re “wired to do.”

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Topics include:
00:00 – Episode preview and guest introduction
01:03 – “Wired” for work: The three wires
03:58 – Diagnosing misalignment in current role
08:18 – Escaping the “miserable but safe” job
13:27 – Why change fails
17:18 – Extrinsic vs. intrinsic motivation
18:26 – What to do if you’re not a natural motivator
22:02 – Real-world example: CEO in a cubicle
24:08 – Ken’s personal work fit
27:23 – What really keeps talent: Three human needs
30:22 – Recruiting strategy: You can’t teach hunger
32:48 – Wrap up and thank you

DISCLAIMER:
The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

Best-Selling Author and Host Ken Coleman: Stop Motivating Your Team and Start Doing This Instead