In this episode, I sit down with Jeff Hartzler, a dynamic leader with over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry, to delve into the nuanced differences and practical applications of inspiration versus motivation in leadership. Drawing from roles that span sales, market access, leadership development, and commercial operations, Jeff brings forward a wealth of personal stories and actionable strategies to help leaders at every level connect more deeply with their teams.

Together, we debunk common myths about motivation—including the belief that all team members are driven by the same incentives—and explore why a one-size-fits-all approach often falls short. Jeff shares eye-opening examples, such as the pitfalls of public recognition for certain personalities, and highlights the importance of understanding each individual's unique motivators and inspirations. We also discuss tools leaders can use to uncover what truly drives their people and why these motivators might change over time.

Key takeaways:

• Motivators are often short-term and can be misjudged; working to understand the long-term inspirations rooted in personal values and purpose drives deeper engagement and trust.
• Building meaningful one-on-one relationships and regularly revisiting what drives each individual fosters a culture of trust, partnership, and sustained performance.
• Avoiding blanket approaches and assumptions about what drives team members—such as assuming financial incentives or public recognition work for everyone—can prevent costly missteps.
• Leaders should recognize that as their team members’ professional and personal lives evolve, so too will their sources of motivation and inspiration.
• Managing by fear or relying solely on incentives might produce temporary results, but only genuine partnerships and authentic understanding lead to long-term success.
• The way leaders are described at the dinner table by their team members’ families reflects the real impact of leadership—and offers a unique lens for self-reflection and improvement.

Whether you’re a new manager worried about your ability to inspire your team or a seasoned leader looking to deepen engagement, this episode offers essential insights to move from motivation to true inspiration in your leadership journey.