Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project

Guest: Pablo Lopez, Professional Baseball Pitcher | Minnesota Twins Baseball Club

If you’ve ever been a part of a team, group, organization, or family, it’s obvious that much of your progress, success, and happiness in heavily influenced by the people around you. This can be a major blessing if you are surrounded by the right kind of people. But if you aren’t, it can be a major challenge and roadblock to success. One of critical elements to ensure success of the group is having the ability to appropriately motivate those around you. This is a critical element to group success, but it isn’t easy. That’s what we are going to focus on in this session as we sit down with Major League Baseball player, Pablo Lopez.
 
The three big questions are working through with Pablo are:
 
1. What does it really mean to motivate others, and why does it matter?
2. Why do most people struggle to effectively motivate their peers, and what common challenges keep us from inspiring others?
3. What practical steps can the average person take to become better at motivating those around them?
 

How to start a Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project “Pod-Club”:
Step 1: Find 2-30 friends who want to get better
Step 2: Choose your episodes (can be focused on specific themes or random)
Step 3: Listen to/watch the episodes
Step 4: Meet with your group to work through the provided discussion questions in the PDF for each episode, and feel free to add your own!
Step 5: Celebrate the fact that you are turning passive knowledge into action!

Discussion Questions for this Episode:

1. Pablo Lopez defines motivating others as understanding that «as a society, we’re supposed to work together.» How do you motivate others beyond your immediate circle? 
2. Pablo highlights the importance of leading by example («more proactive with action than with word») and being vulnerable to build trust. In what ways do you currently demonstrate these qualities? What is one additional way you can inspire those around you? 
3. The podcast lists key qualities of an effective motivator: good listener, empathetic, vulnerable, humble, and altruistic. Which of these qualities do you feel is your strongest? Which one would you like to develop further? How can you go about doing that?  
4. Pablo discusses the challenge of motivating individuals who are not receptive to feedback or intrinsically motivated. His strategy involves finding a «personal driver» or connecting with their values (e.g., family, community). Think about someone you perceived as not receptive to feedback or intrinsically motivated. What personal drivers or values might help you connect with them differently? 
5. The concept of «worthy rivals» describes scenarios where competition is healthy and mutually beneficial. Can you identify a «worthy rival» whose success genuinely inspires you to be better? What is it about that individual that makes you see them as “worthy” in your eyes, and do you think they would feel the same about you? 
6. Dr. Camp calls special attention a few of his favorite «Pablo-isms,» such as «don’t fish with donuts» and «don’t struggle with your failures more than you celebrate your successes.» Which of these resonates most with you? How might you remind yourself of it? 
7. The call to action challenges listeners to scrutinize their motives for wanting to motivate someone (altruistic vs. selfish). How often do you reflect on your underlying motives when trying to influence others? What opportunities for change might exist? 
8. Pablo emphasizes that motivating others is an ongoing journey of self-improvement and evolution. What is one specific step you could take this week to «look within yourself» and strengthen your own self-awareness or emotional availability? 

Connect with us! Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimize 

X: @MayoHumanOpProj 
Instagram: @MayoHumanOpProj 
YouTube: The Human Optimization Project – YouTube 

Email: optimize@mayo.edu