Advanced Lab Management

Motivation and Engagement in the Lab

Course overview
Motivating a lab team is both essential and complex. This course explores what truly drives engagement, including autonomy, mastery, and purpose. Lab managers will learn how to create an environment that sustains motivation, fosters personal growth, and prevents burnout—so their team remains productive and committed.
  • Area of Study

    Advanced Lab Management

  • Course Duration

    1 hour

  • CEUs

    0.1

    This course is part of the Advanced Lab Management Certificate. Looking to enroll in the full certificate?
    Advanced Lab Management Certificate | Lab Manager Academy

    What is this course about?

    Keeping lab staff motivated isn’t easy—especially in high-pressure, resource-constrained environments. This course explores the science and strategy of motivation, giving lab managers a framework to help team members thrive.

    You’ll learn how to provide autonomy, build mastery, and foster purpose, while also addressing common demotivators such as micromanagement, poor communication, and lack of development opportunities. Engaged learners will discover how to keep motivation high and disengagement low with practical tools, feedback strategies, and proven approaches for sustaining energy and enthusiasm in the lab.

    What are the benefits of this course?

    • Lead with empathy: Understand what drives your team and how to meet their motivational needs.
    • Foster autonomy and trust: Create an environment where staff feel empowered to take ownership of their work.
    • Build a culture of mastery: Help your team grow their skills, confidence, and sense of accomplishment.
    • Inspire with purpose: Connect everyday lab work to a deeper mission that keeps staff engaged.
    • Reduce burnout and disengagement: Spot and eliminate common demotivators before they erode morale.

    What are the learning outcomes of this course?

    By the end of this course, engaged learners should be able to:

    • Describe the difference between motivation and engagement
    • Identify common demotivators in the lab environment
    • Apply motivational theory to improve team performance
    • Use effective strategies to foster autonomy, mastery, and purpose
    • Build trust and engagement using clear expectations and consistent feedback
    • Recognize how their own leadership style influences team motivation

    Meet The Instructor

    Scott Hanton

    PhD

    Years of Experience
    Scott Hanton is the editorial director at Lab Manager and the leader of the Lab Manager Academy. He spent 30 years working in industrial chemistry labs, with 20 years as a lab manager. He had roles of general manager, laboratory operations manager and chief scientist for Intertek Allentown. Previously, he had roles of research scientist, laboratory supervisor, and section manager at Air Products & Chemicals. Through these different roles, Scott developed expertise in polymer mass spectrometry, analytical characterization, people leadership, and business management. He earned a BS in Chemistry from Michigan State University and a PhD in Physical Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Scott is an active member of ACS, ASMS, and ALMA.
    Lab Manager Academy is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.