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Robin Hills

Motivation involves understanding what makes individuals tick and how we can successfully motivate people that we work with.  

Finding the key to what inspires and motivates people is never easy. It has often been said that motivating individuals is much harder than creating an environment in which people are motivated.  But this won't work for everyone.

Sometimes the hardest thing for people is finding a way to motivate themselves. They say they want to do something and they don’t do it. 

Read more

Motivation involves understanding what makes individuals tick and how we can successfully motivate people that we work with.  

Finding the key to what inspires and motivates people is never easy. It has often been said that motivating individuals is much harder than creating an environment in which people are motivated.  But this won't work for everyone.

Sometimes the hardest thing for people is finding a way to motivate themselves. They say they want to do something and they don’t do it. 

This short course is aimed at managers at all levels and team leaders who wish to learn more about what motivates the people that they work with for greater performance.  Conversely, it will help you identify what will demotivate someone.  

The course is based on NLP Meta Programs and helps you to identify what motivational triggers are.  These reveal what will make a person do something or prevent a person from acting in a certain way.  

All this shows up in how a person talks.

So, the course will help you find out needs and drives of others through conversational techniques.  This means that you can then put emphasis on how to better motivate individuals to achieve better results towards their own personal objectives.  

One of the most important things about motivating yourself and staying motivated is to know your own motivation triggers.  You can determine this with a structured process that is supplied within the course that with enable you to format a conversation naturally and get to the heart of someone's core motivation.  Use the appropriate influencing language for maximum impact and learn how to apply it in any context. 

Determine a person's motivation by exploring their

  • Motivational Level

  • Criteria of Motivation

  • Motivational Direction

  • Source of Motivation

  • Reason for Motivation

  • Decisions of Motivation

Work with these 6 motivational triggers and find out what it is that people need to get excited about something.  

The course is being continually refined and updated to ensure it remains current and relevant.

The course contains a series of Lightbulb Moments resource cards, which have been created to provide you with handy reminders of key points around topics covered within the course.

All PDFs can be completed online and are Section 508 / ADA Accessibility compliant.

All videos are High Definition recorded in 1080p.

All captions have been reviewed and are grammatically correct.

Latest update -  July 2024

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Determine a person's six motivational triggers through conversation
  • Appraise conversational techniques to build rapport and empathy
  • Interpret and evaluate what motivates others to achieve a higher level of performance
  • Relate to people better by engaging with them at deeper levels

Syllabus

Unlocking Motivation: Discover the Ability to Inspire Others

This video introduces the course on motivation.

This video gives details about this course on the Udemy platform and ways to get the most from it by using your emotional intelligence.

Read more

Before we start the course, here is a practical activity that encourages you to think about why you are taking the course and what you want to get from it.

This lesson covers the learning outcomes of the course on motivation and the learning objectives.

Motivation can be difficult to determine but this video explains what motivation is all about.

In this part of the course, we look at some of the best known motivation theories.  This lesson covers needs theories as defined by Maslow and Herzberg.

Vroom's Expectancy Theory assumes that behaviour results from conscious choices among alternatives. The motivation of the behaviour selection is determined by the desirability of the outcome.

You are probably already familiar with Goals Theory.  It is based on working with SMART objectives.

This lesson looks at how well set goals can support motivation.

As more scientific research is being conducted and more is known about motivation, we need to rethink some of our beliefs around what motivates people.  It appears that a lot of what we have thought is wrong!

Words That Change Minds is a well respected book by Shelle Rose Charvet that looks at how to determine motivation and motivational traits using conversational coaching techniques.

Meta-programs are like the software in our brains.  They run unconsciously.  In this lesson we explore the idea of meta-programs and start to look at the motivational meta-program.

This lesson looks at the Level of Motivation. Are you proactive or reactive?

This lesson looks at the Criteria of Motivation. What are your criteria or values?

This lesson looks at the Direction of Motivation.  Are you motivated towards a goal or away from something you don't want?

This lesson looks at the Source of Motivation.  Are you internally or externally motivated ?

This lesson looks at the Reason for Motivation. Are you motivated by options or procedures?

This lesson looks at the Decision Factors of Motivation.  What is your attitude to change?  Are you motivated by evolution or revolution?

This lesson is a learning summary of this course on Motivation and introduces the Practical Activity that enables you to determine Motivational Traits.

The series of questions presented here will help you to determine the traits that make up the patterns within your motivation meta-program. 

This is a practical activity to conclude the course on motivation.  It requires you to consider your goals and objectives for taking the course that you set for yourself at the beginning of the course.

These Lightbulb Moments resource cards have been created to provide you with handy reminders of key points around topics covered within the course.

This video will help you if you are having issues accessing your Certificate of Completion.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores NLP Meta Programs, which are used to identify motivational triggers and understand how they influence behavior, offering practical insights for leadership roles
Teaches conversational techniques to uncover the needs and drives of others, enabling managers to tailor their approach and improve team performance through personalized motivation
Provides a structured process to determine personal motivation triggers, which can help managers understand their own motivations and lead by example, fostering a more engaged work environment
Examines motivation theories, including those by Maslow, Herzberg, and Vroom, providing a comprehensive understanding of different perspectives on motivation and their practical applications in management
Based on the book *Words That Change Minds* by Shelle Rose Charvet, which is a well-regarded resource on using conversational coaching techniques to determine motivation and motivational traits
Includes a practical activity that encourages learners to reflect on their goals and objectives for taking the course, promoting self-awareness and a more focused approach to applying the learned concepts

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Reviews summary

Practical motivation using conversational techniques

According to learners, this course provides a practical approach to understanding motivation using NLP Meta Programs and conversational techniques. Many students found the methods for identifying motivational triggers highly insightful and applicable, particularly for managers and those in leadership roles. Reviews frequently praise the clear explanations and the ability to immediately apply concepts at work. While seen as a good foundation, a few reviewers wished for deeper dives into specific scenarios or felt it was too theoretical initially, though more recent feedback emphasizes the practical application. Overall, learners found the course well-structured and the included Lightbulb Moments cards a helpful resource.
Useful supplementary materials
"The Lightbulb Moments cards are a great takeaway."
"the included Lightbulb Moments cards are a helpful resource."
Well-organized content
"The concepts around Meta Programs are explained clearly..."
"The course is well-structured and easy to follow."
"Content was easy to digest and follow along."
Great for leading others
"I've already started applying them at work with my team, and I see a difference. Highly recommend for managers."
"Excellent course for anyone in a leadership role. Learning to identify people's core motivators..."
"It helped me understand how to better motivate my team members."
Learn a unique NLP method
"The concepts around Meta Programs are explained clearly, and the practical conversational techniques are incredibly useful."
"I found the NLP perspective interesting. It gives you tools to listen better and understand people's drivers."
"The focus on listening for specific language patterns was revolutionary for me."
"Really insightful course. It changed the way I think about motivating myself and others."
Apply concepts through talk
"The concepts around Meta Programs are explained clearly, and the practical conversational techniques are incredibly useful."
"I've already started applying them at work with my team, and I see a difference."
"Learning to identify people's core motivators through their language is a powerful skill. The course is well-structured..."
"I learned how to use practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work."
Could use more scenarios
"While it's a good foundation, deeper dives into specific scenarios would be helpful."
"I struggled to see how to apply the 'conversational techniques' naturally in real interactions. Needs more practical examples."
"Was hoping for more actionable strategies for leading a team. This felt very much like an intro..."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Unlocking Motivation: Discover the Ability to Inspire Others with these activities:
Review Motivation Theories
Strengthen your understanding of foundational motivation theories before diving into meta-programs.
Show steps
  • Review notes from previous courses on motivation.
  • Research Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory.
  • Familiarize yourself with Vroom's Expectancy Theory and Goals Theory.
Review 'Words That Change Minds'
Deepen your understanding of motivational traits by studying the book that the course references.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Words That Change Minds'.
  • Read the book, focusing on the sections about motivational meta-programs.
  • Take notes on key concepts and techniques.
  • Reflect on how to apply these techniques in your own conversations.
Review 'Words That Change Minds'
Deepen your understanding of motivational traits by studying the foundational text referenced in the course.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Words That Change Minds'.
  • Read the sections on meta-programs and motivational traits.
  • Take notes on key concepts and examples.
  • Reflect on how these concepts apply to your own interactions.
Eight other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 11 activities
Review 'Words That Change Minds'
Deepen your understanding of motivational meta-programs by studying the book that introduced the concept.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Words That Change Minds'.
  • Read the book, focusing on the chapters related to motivational meta-programs.
  • Take notes on key concepts and techniques.
  • Reflect on how to apply these techniques in your own interactions.
Practice Meta-Program Identification
Refine your ability to identify meta-programs through practice with peers.
Show steps
  • Find a study partner or group.
  • Take turns interviewing each other, focusing on identifying meta-programs.
  • Provide constructive feedback to each other.
Practice Identifying Motivational Triggers
Reinforce your ability to identify motivational triggers by practicing with different scenarios.
Show steps
  • Create a list of hypothetical individuals with varying backgrounds and goals.
  • Develop a set of questions to uncover their motivational triggers, based on the course's framework.
  • Role-play conversations with a friend or colleague, practicing your questioning techniques.
  • Analyze the responses to identify their motivational level, criteria, direction, source, reason, and decision factors.
Practice Conversational Probing
Sharpen your ability to identify motivational triggers through structured conversational practice.
Show steps
  • Prepare a list of probing questions based on the course's motivational triggers.
  • Role-play conversations with a partner, focusing on identifying their motivational traits.
  • Record and review your conversations, noting areas for improvement.
  • Repeat the practice, incorporating feedback and refining your technique.
Create a 'Motivational Triggers' Guide
Solidify your understanding by creating a concise guide summarizing the key motivational triggers and how to identify them.
Show steps
  • Review the course material on motivational triggers.
  • Outline the key concepts and techniques.
  • Write a clear and concise guide with examples.
  • Share your guide with others and gather feedback.
Motivational Interview Project
Apply the learned conversational techniques to uncover the motivational triggers of several individuals.
Show steps
  • Identify 3-5 people to interview.
  • Prepare a set of questions based on the course material.
  • Conduct the interviews, focusing on identifying motivational traits.
  • Analyze the results and write a report summarizing your findings.
Review 'Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us'
Broaden your understanding of motivation by exploring the concepts of autonomy, mastery, and purpose.
View Drive on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us'.
  • Read the book, focusing on the concepts of autonomy, mastery, and purpose.
  • Reflect on how these concepts relate to the course material.
  • Consider how to apply these concepts in your own life and work.
Create a Motivation Resource Compilation
Enhance your understanding and retention by compiling a collection of resources related to motivation.
Show steps
  • Gather notes, articles, and links related to motivation.
  • Organize the materials into categories.
  • Write a brief summary of each resource.
  • Share your compilation with others.

Career center

Learners who complete Unlocking Motivation: Discover the Ability to Inspire Others will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Team Leader
A team leader is responsible for guiding and motivating a team to achieve its goals. This course is perfectly suited for a team leader, as it focuses on understanding the motivational drivers of individuals. The ability to identify motivational triggers through conversation, a skill taught within this course, helps team leaders engage better with their team members. The course also covers how to determine motivational levels, direction, and source using the NLP Meta Programs framework. The course's practical activities, which help apply conversational techniques, will enable a team leader to get the most from team members by understanding their needs and drives.
Executive Coach
An executive coach works with leaders to enhance their performance and achieve goals. This course is well-suited for anyone in this role who wishes to identify and understand the nuances of motivational drivers. The ability to determine motivational traits through conversation, as taught in this course, helps an executive coach provide more tailored guidance. The skills in identifying needs and drives of others will allow the coach to engage with clients more effectively. Also, course topics involving motivational level, criteria and direction are directly applicable to the executive coaching process.
Sales Manager
A sales manager leads a team of sales professionals, and so must be able to motivate them to meet targets. This course's emphasis on understanding motivation through conversational techniques will directly benefit a sales manager. The course teaches how to identify motivational triggers, which sales managers can use to tailor their coaching and support. The course's materials on identifying needs and drives of individuals will allow a sales manager to get the maximum performance from team members by building trust and rapport. The practical activities can also help to motivate a sales team.
Project Manager
A project manager must effectively lead a diverse team to meet project objectives. This course on motivation provides essential skills for a project manager so that they can understand the unique motivational triggers of each team member. Learning to identify these triggers through conversation will help a project manager build rapport and create a more engaged environment. Additionally, the course covers the importance of understanding needs and drives, which is critical for a successful project execution. The structured conversational process will allow a project manager to maximize the performance of their team.
Training and Development Specialist
A training and development specialist designs and delivers programs aimed at enhancing employee performance and engagement. This course can benefit a training and development specialist which emphasizes understanding what motivates individuals through conversational skills. The ability to identify motivational levels, criteria, direction and source will help a training specialist create relevant and impactful sessions. The course's focus on using influencing language and determining needs and drives means that a training professional will create programs that help employees be more motivated in their roles and to achieve organizational objectives.
Nonprofit Program Coordinator
A nonprofit program coordinator oversees the implementation of programs and initiatives. This course will help a program coordinator understand the needs of their team and volunteers, using the conversational techniques offered by the course. The course's focus on identifying motivational triggers as well as an understanding of needs and drives, is essential for a successful coordinator. The skills learned in this course will allow the coordinator to effectively engage with volunteers and colleagues, maximizing the impact of their organization.
Human Resources Specialist
A human resources specialist focuses on the needs of employees and helps organizations foster a positive and productive work environment. Understanding what motivates employees is crucial to this role. This course provides insight into motivational triggers via conversation, which is a key component of any HR role. The structured process within the course will assist in assessing individual needs and drives within the workplace. Learning to identify motivational levels, direction, and sources will help an HR specialist develop tailored engagement strategies, maximizing employee performance. This course's focus on identifying needs and applying influencing language makes it highly relevant.
Career Counselor
A career counselor helps individuals explore career options and achieve their professional goals. This course will help career counselors by providing tools to assess a client’s intrinsic motivators. By understanding motivational triggers through conversation, the course helps counselors better guide individuals. This process, laid out in the course, and the ability to understand motivational levels and decision making can help clients find career paths that truly satisfy. The course is very useful to a career counselor who needs to build rapport quickly.
Management Consultant
A management consultant advises organizations on how to improve their performance, often requiring an understanding of team dynamics and motivation. This course will greatly assist any management consultant by enhancing their ability to identify motivational triggers through conversational techniques. The course covers how to assess individual needs and drives, using the NLP Meta Programs framework. This is essential for a management consultant who must tailor strategies to each client. A consultant will apply the course's learnings to provide realistic solutions that take individual motivations into account.
Customer Success Manager
A customer success manager works to ensure that customers get value from a company's products or services. This course will assist a customer success manager's ability to understand and respond to customer needs by identifying motivational triggers through conversation. The course's practical application of conversational techniques and emphasis on identifying needs and drives of individuals will help a customer success manager build stronger relationships with clients. The meta programs, as described in the course, can provide deeper insight into customer behaviors.
Instructional Designer
An instructional designer creates learning materials and experiences. This course may help an instructional designer understand the motivation behind how people learn. The ability to identify motivational triggers can help an instructional designer create relevant and engaging content. The course's approach to understanding needs and drives can help this professional craft training modules that resonate with learners. The inclusion of NLP Meta Programs and the identification of conversational techniques are helpful for an instructional designer.
Change Management Specialist
A change management specialist helps organizations navigate transitions and transformations. This course may be useful for a change management specialist, helping them to understand resistance to change and identify motivational triggers. The course's emphasis on conversational techniques and understanding needs and drives could be applied to help the team through change. The meta programs discussed within the course are helpful in understanding decision-making processes. This course may provide some of the skills that a change management professional needs.
Recruiter
A recruiter is responsible for finding and attracting top talent for organizations. This course may help a recruiter by enhancing skills in understanding what motivates candidates. The course focuses on identifying motivational triggers through conversation and an exploration of needs and drives. This can enable a recruiter to align job opportunities with a candidate's core motivational drivers. The practical activities, particularly in determining motivational traits, will assist a recruiter in this process. While this may not be directly relevant, the course on motivation may offer useful skills.
Social Worker
A social worker provides assistance and support to individuals and families in need. This course may assist a social worker's ability to engage more effectively with clients by identifying motivational triggers through conversation. The conversational techniques and approaches to identifying needs and drives of individuals will especially enhance rapport. The principles found in the course can help social workers better understand their clients. While the course may be tangentially relevant, parts of it can offer useful skills
Public Relations Specialist
A public relations specialist manages the public image of an organization or individual. This course may help a public relations specialist by offering insight into how to motivate specific audiences. The techniques for understanding motivation and needs, as taught through conversational techniques, could be applied by a public relations professional to understand their audience. While the course may not be directly useful to the field, it holds skills that would be relevant.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Unlocking Motivation: Discover the Ability to Inspire Others.
Is directly referenced in the course and provides the foundational knowledge for understanding motivational traits through conversational techniques. It expands on the NLP Meta Programs concept, offering practical methods for identifying and utilizing motivational language. Reading this book will provide a deeper understanding of the conversational coaching techniques mentioned in the course. It is highly recommended as a companion to the course material.
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Challenges traditional views of motivation and explores the power of intrinsic motivation. It discusses how autonomy, mastery, and purpose drive performance and engagement. Reading this book will provide a broader perspective on motivation beyond the meta-programs discussed in the course. It is valuable as additional reading to expand your understanding of motivation.

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