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.

• 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.

In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Pawless, Vice President of Sales for a leading medical device company, to explore his people-first leadership philosophy and approach to developing talent at every stage of a career. Ryan draws on more than a decade of management experience—including leading global teams—to share his insights on balancing empathy and accountability, cultivating authentic relationships, and driving performance through intentional development.

We dive into Ryan Pawless’s practical strategies for identifying and nurturing the hidden potential in individuals, managing large teams across multiple time zones, and designing effective development plans regardless of tenure or ambition. Listen in to hear real examples of career growth, promotional success, and the role of managers in actively supporting employees' ongoing learning—whether moving up the ladder or simply being the best in-role.

• People-first leadership means prioritizing investment in team members, understanding what motivates them, and creating environments for success.
• Development is not just about career advancement, but also building new skills, behaviors within current roles.
• Authentic relationships—knowing employees beyond their work—are essential to effective coaching, retention, and performance.
• Intentional, regular development discussions (not just annual reviews) promote continuous growth and support business results.
• Balancing empathy with accountability is crucial: leaders must recognize when supportive conversations turn into unhealthy patterns and address them constructively.
• Leaders actively contribute to building each employee’s brand and influence, helping them embrace risk, learn new skills, and refine behaviors for career longevity and fulfillment.

Whether you manage six or nineteen direct reports, this episode offers actionable advice and reflection points for leaders at every level seeking to inspire, grow, and empower their teams.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Scott Hutcheson, biosocial scientist and senior lecturer in engineering and technology leadership at Purdue University, to dive into his new book, Biohacking Leadership: Leveraging the Biology of Behavior to Maximize Your Impact. Dr. Hutcheson brings decades of leadership development expertise and shares a science-based perspective on how leaders can align their biology with their leadership behaviors to foster greater connection, influence, and performance in their teams.

Scott explains the concept of “biohacking leadership,” drawing on both his professional research and personal experience with a diabetes diagnosis. He reveals how small, intentional tweaks to daily habits—such as sleep, exercise, and stress management—can have profound effects not only on personal health but also on leadership behaviors and team outcomes.

Key takeaways:

• Leadership is a biological phenomenon: How you feel physically and mentally directly influences your communication, decision making, emotional regulation, and ability to connect with others.
• Small behavioral “biohacks”—such as consistent exercise, quality sleep, and stress management—can significantly improve a leader’s presence and impact.
• The three biodynamic channels—warmth, competence, and gravitas—define the core behaviors that signal leadership and inspire followership.
• Leaders have the power to shape their team’s ecosystem, much like a keystone species shapes its environment, regardless of their place in the hierarchy.
• Self-awareness and reflective experimentation are essential—leaders should assess their strengths, seek feedback, and make incremental changes to their behaviors.
• Genuine human connection, through simple daily check-ins and personal validation, is fundamental to building trust and high-performing teams.
• Even leaders who feel less “naturally warm” can make subtle shifts, like open body language or intentional silence, to dial up connection and influence.
• Every interaction is an opportunity to experiment with leadership behaviors and observe their impact, continually refining your approach for greater engagement.

Listen for evidence-based insights and practical strategies to unlock your biology and amplify your leadership—one intentional behavior at a time.

Pick up Dr. Hutcheson’s book.