Fumbling the Baton: What Not to Do When Motivating Your Team, by Jonathan H. Westover PhD

Abstract: Recent research in organizational behavior and leadership provides critical insights into common managerial mistakes that undermine employee motivation. The article examines four key behaviors leaders should avoid: over-relying on extrinsic rewards, prioritizing threats and consequences over empowerment, micromanaging team activities, and neglecting personal and meaningful feedback. By replacing these demotivating practices with approaches grounded in intrinsic motivation theory – such as fostering workplace purpose, granting autonomy, and offering regular personalized guidance – leaders can cultivate engaged, innovative, and high-performing teams. Though simple in principle, these scientifically-backed best practices require constant self-awareness to implement effectively, but yield dividends in employee engagement, retention, and business success.