Motivation Mastery: Enhancing Workplace Culture Through Psychological with Aaron Robbins

In this episode of the "HR Mixtape" podcast, host Shari Simpson welcomes Aaron Robbins, president of Intrinsic First, to discuss the critical topic of motivation in the workplace. With nearly 20 years of experience in leadership, HR, and process improvement, Aaron shares his insights on the difference between increasing motivation and improving the quality of motivation. He emphasizes the importance of intrinsic motivation and the psychological needs of autonomy, relatedness, and competence in fostering a thriving organizational culture.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding Motivation Quality: Learn the distinction between low-quality external motivation and high-quality internal motivation, and why the latter is essential for employee well-being and performance.
• The Role of Psychological Needs: Discover the three basic psychological needs—autonomy, relatedness, and competence—that are crucial for enhancing motivation in employees.
• Creating a Supportive Environment: Gain insights into how leaders can cultivate a motivational environment by recognizing individual preferences for rewards and recognition, ultimately leading to a more engaged workforce.

Aaron Robbins is an accomplished executive leader and speaker with nearly 20 years of experience in leadership, HR, project management, process improvement, and engineering. His personal mission is to make the world a better place to work by applying the science of leadership, motivation, and culture. His passion for leadership and organizational development is evident in his successful track record of leading large organizations, resulting in enhanced employee capabilities, customer satisfaction, and project execution. He is actively pursuing a PhD in Organizational Behavior Psychology and holds an MS in I/O Psychology and an MS and BS in Mechanical Engineering. He also holds various certifications, including SHRM-SCP, PMI-PMP, PMI-RMP, LSS-BB, and Scrum Master. He has been recognized as an exceptional innovator and leader contributing to organizational success through individual awards such as the CxO Outstanding Leadership Award, the Government Civilian Exemplary Achievement Award, and the CSA Executive Award for Distinguished Performance, as well as organizational accolades such as the San Diego Top Workplaces Award.