Complete Story
 

09/28/2023

Leaders Beware

How AI perpetuates mistruths about motivation

Recently, I was curious to see the results of an artificial intelligence (AI) search on "How to motivate employees." As someone who has devoted her career to applying empirically sound motivation science, I shouldn't have been surprised. Still, I was dismayed by the amount of misinformation and never-proven motivation practices. 

I find it fascinating how we painstakingly analyze and interpret all kinds of big data. Still, when it comes to motivation — the most foundational aspect of human behavior — we rely on outdated science and questionable anecdotal evidence perpetuated through popular media.

You're probably as intrigued with AI as I am. But as leaders, we cannot afford to be influenced by regurgitated mistruths about motivation that are so prevalent in blogs, promotional self-published books and nonreviewed articles. After all, that's the fodder that fuels AI. When it comes to motivation — a common topic, especially post-pandemic — if you don't know what you don't know, you are apt to fall prey to "stinkin' thinkin'" and misguided advice.

Please select this link to read the complete article from SmartBrief.

Printer-Friendly Version