Episode
#71: Why 93% of People Never Say Thank You (And What It's Costing Us) | Dr. E. Scott Geller
- Published
- Aug 10, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2894
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Summary
He's Spent 56 Years Studying What Actually Motivates Human Behavior Dr. E. Scott Geller isn't your typical psychologist. As Alumni Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Virginia Tech and founder of the Actively Caring for People (AC4P) Movement, he's spent over five decades proving that gratitude, leadership, and self-motivation aren't soft concepts — they're science. His TEDx talk on self-motivation has been watched by more than 12 million people, and he's authored over 55 books on applied behavioral science. Why Most Leaders Get Feedback (and Motivation) Completely Wrong In this episode, Dr. Geller breaks down the ABC model of behavior (Activators, Behavior, Consequences) and reveals why most managers rely on negative reinforcement without realizing it's quietly killing motivation on their teams. He introduces the COACH method — Care, Observe, Analyze, Communicate, Help — as a practical framework for giving feedback that actually changes behavior, whether you're leading a team, coaching a client, or raising kids. You'll also hear the research-backed difference between managers who control behavior and leaders who inspire self-motivation, and why humility is the starting point for both. What You'll Walk Away With If you've ever wondered why some people show up energized and others just show up, this conversation gives you the answer. Dr. Geller unpacks the three C's of self-motivation — Choice, Competence, and Community — and explains why interpersonal gratitude (not just feeling grateful, but expressing it) is one of the most underused leadership tools available. You'll leave with a clear framework for building a culture of actively caring, whether that's in your workplace, your home, or your own leadership development. Ready to Lead with More Humility, Gratitude, and…