Leading and Learning in the Workplace: Exploring Motivational Immediacy

Learners are always motivated; they just may not be motivated to learn what you want them to. This book shows leaders and trainers how to foster learner engagement in workplace training contexts, using the powerful construct of motivational immediacy.

Not only does this book counter learner resistance from a positive and holistic perspective, but it also puts forward the unique perspective that every act is a learning act for those being led and a teaching act for those leading. Since learning and leading are linked at the core, the motivational immediacy framework serves to keep learners engaged, instructors relevant, and leaders understanding and effective. Based on robust theory and research, this book defines motivational immediacy as both a phenomenon and a practice, offering concrete action steps that will enable leaders and trainers to:

• Maintain motivation on a regular basis
• Distinguish between true engagement and resistance when learners argue
• Find common ground with students
• Realize that instructors do not teach groups, but individual learners who may sometimes be clustered together
• Develop the habit of “reaching for” instead of reacting, running, or repeating when choosing a response to any situation, and more.

Addressing leading and learning in an entirely new way, this book will appeal to workplace training providers and directors, course designers, administrators, supervisors, and leaders at all organizational levels.

Jonathan E. Taylor is Professor and Director of Doctoral Studies in Adult Education at Auburn University, USA.