Podcast Episode: The Influence of Managers in Motivating Teams

Our latest podcast episode highlights the vital role managers play in creating a motivated and engaged workforce. Drawing from insights in The Business of Motivation report, we discuss how organisations can support managers through effective training, tools, and strategies. Topics include navigating difficult conversations, promoting inclusion, and ensuring managers feel equipped for their responsibilities.

The Panel

Host: Kath Goodson, Global Client Development Director at Forty1

Guests:

• Wil Procter, Director of Strategy and Innovation at Nazaré
• Luke-Matthew Iveson, Director of DEI at Forty1

The Role of Managers in Motivation

Managers have a profound influence on whether employees feel valued and engaged, regardless of team size or location. According to The Business of Motivation, meeting three human needs - autonomy, mastery, and relatedness - builds the foundation for effective motivation. These needs, combined with organisational levers such as internal communications, learning and development, and manager interactions, enhance both motivation and employee experience.

With the podcast episode focusing on manager interactions as a lever, Luke emphasises the importance of trust and creativity, explaining that motivated managers can inspire employees to feel part of something greater. Wil notes that strong relationships with managers often determine whether employees stay or leave an organisation, highlighting the need for adaptability to individual circumstances.

Equipping Managers for Success

Many managers find themselves in their roles without sufficient preparation, as becoming a manager is often seen as a natural step in career progression. However, without the right support, new managers may struggle to identify what is required of them and how to meet those expectations effectively.

Kath discusses the importance of providing managers with the skills they need, including active listening, emotional intelligence, and coaching. Wil adds that organisations should help managers make these skills actionable and relevant, enabling them to integrate them into everyday interactions.

Effective Communication and Inclusion

Managers serve as a vital link between senior leadership and employees, with their communication style often influencing how information is received and acted upon. Luke stresses the importance of tailoring communication to the needs of individual team members, as a one-size-fits-all approach risks disengagement.

Inclusion is also crucial. Luke highlights how equitable interactions and recognising employees’ voices lead to sustained engagement and motivation. Difficult conversations, when approached inclusively, build trust and create opportunities for growth - for both employees and managers. Wil suggests organisations provide frameworks and tools, including technology such as AI-driven training, to prepare managers for these conversations in a safe virtual space.

Balancing Feedback and Reflection

Managers play a key role in delivering balanced feedback, combining positive reinforcement with constructive conversations. Luke emphasises the value of reflection, both for managers and their teams, as a way to assess and improve interactions.

Wil suggests using targeted feedback questions - such as asking whether a conversation felt balanced - to encourage honest responses and refine managerial approaches. Regularly revisiting conversations and following up with employees builds trust and shows genuine investment in their experience.

Key Takeaways

Motivation is not something that can be achieved overnight. Every interaction and conversation contributes to a long-term process. Managers need the right tools and strategies to ensure their approach remains consistent, authentic, and adaptable.

Supporting managers in this way helps them build confidence in their role, ensuring they feel that motivation is part of their day-to-day work, rather than an additional burden. As Wil noted, creating a culture of self-awareness and feedback benefits managers and their teams alike. By focusing on what motivates individuals, organisations can build stronger, more engaged teams, one step at a time.

To listen to the full podcast episode, click here.