- Recent Books
- Selected papers
➡ Forest, J., Gradito Dubord, M.-A., Olafsen, A. H., & Carpentier, J. (2023). Shaping tomorrow’s workplace by integrating self-determination theory: A literature review and recommendations. In Handbook of Self-Determination Theory (pp. 875–900).
➡ Gagné, M., Forest, J., Vansteenkiste, M., Crevier-Braud, L., Van den Broeck, A., Aspeli, A. K., Bellerose, J., Benabou, C., Chemolli, E., Güntert, S. T., Halvari, H., Johnson, P., Indiyastuti, D. L., Molstad, M., Naudin, M., Ndao, A., Olafsen, A. H., Roussel, P., Wang, Z., & Westbye, C. (2015). The Multidimensional Work Motivation Scale: Validation evidence in seven languages and nine countries. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 24, 178–196.
Available here
➡ Gradito Dubord, M.-A., & Forest, J. (2022). Focussing on strengths or weaknesses? Using self-determination theory to explain why a strengths-based approach has more impact on optimal functioning than deficit correction. International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology, 8(1), 87–113.
➡ Thibault Landry, A., Forest, J., Zigarmi, D., Houson, D., & Boucher, É. (2017). The carrot or the stick? Investigating the subjective meaning of cash rewards and their motivational power according to Self-Determination Theory. Compensation and Benefits Review, 49(1), 9–25.
Available here
➡ Forest, J., Mageau, G. A., Crevier-Braud, L., Dubreuil, P., Bergeron, E., & Lavigne, G. L. (2012). Harmonious passion as a mediator of the relation between signature strengths’ use and optimal functioning at work: Test of an intervention program. Human Relations, 65, 1233–1252.
➡ Végh, J., Jenkins, J., & Claes, M. T. (2023). The Future of Mobility: Key Areas That Play a Significant Role in Expatriates' Future Decisions.
Dans Analyzing International Business Operations in the Post-Pandemic Era (pp. 93-120). IGI Global.
➡ Végh, J., Jenkins, J., & Claes, M. T. (2023). “Should I stay or should I go?”—Why the future of global work may be less binary: Lessons on approaches to global crises from the experiences of expatriates during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Thunderbird International Business Review, 65(1), 21-37.
➡ Hermann, A., Claes, M. T., & Clar-Novak, M. (2024). Remote Work Policies.
Dans Effective Human Resources Management in the Multigenerational Workplace (pp. 153-178). IGI Global.
➡ Claes, M. T. (2024). Unconscious bias.
Dans : A.I. Mockaitis and C. Butle (Éds.), Elgar Encyclopedia of Cross-Cultural Management, 4.11, 138-140.
➡ Claes, M. T. (2025). (Female) Leadership.
Dans : J.H. Mills, A. J. Mills, K. S. Williams, R. Bendl (Éds.), Elgar Encyclopedia on Gender in Management (Elgar Encyclopedias in Business and Management series), 152-154.

Jacques Forest
Full Professor at ESG UQAM
Jacques Forest, psychologist and CHRP, is a full professor at ESG UQAM. Over the past 17 years, he has:
- Published 69 scientific articles and 20 book chapters.
- Given 269 media presentations and more than 656 workshops in organizations across 11 countries.
- Authored 27 lay-public articles.
He is the co-author of the book:
➡ The ABC of Work Motivation: How to Energize Any Organization, published by Amsterdam University Press.
His research leverages self-determination theory to explore how performance and well-being can be reconciled sustainably.
Duration: Between 30 and 90 minutes
Content:
- To achieve their business objectives, organizations need motivated employees. It is crucial that employees are not only sufficiently motivated (quantity of energy) but, more importantly, driven by good motivation (quality of energy invested).
- Goal of the Training:
- Understand what motivation at work truly is.
- Learn how to stimulate the most adaptive forms of motivation.
- Demystify common misconceptions about motivation at work.
- Scientific Foundation:
This activity is grounded in over five decades of research, particularly using self-determination theory, to help participants understand and stimulate motivation effectively. - Training Structure:
- Types of Work Motivation:
- Discuss the different types of work motivation.
- Understand the innate and universal psychological needs that drive adaptive motivation.
- Intervention Levers:
- Explore major levers to stimulate positive motivation, including justice, job design, fairness, leadership, psychological safety, and the role of money (in certain circumstances).
- Learn to identify when and how interventions can be positive or negative, based on scientific evidence.
- Positive Psychology:
- Introduction to strengths-based management, contrasting with deficit-based approaches.
- Discover how to implement this innovative method to optimize employee performance and development.
- Types of Work Motivation:
Language(s):
- English
- French
Key Words:
- Motivation
- Optimal functioning
- Performance
- Well-being / Happiness
- Positive psychology
Duration
3 hours
Content
Business experts agree that, in order to meet the needs and demands of employees, companies are currently undergoing a revolution where annual appraisal is replaced by regular and personalized feedback conversations. In addition, scientific studies show that verbally expressing gratitude to employees is an even more powerful management tool for their mobilization and engagement than material or financial rewards.
However, most organizations and managers only wonder about the feedback process (e.g., what questions should be used, how often do we need to evaluate employees, when is it better to give feedback during the year, etc.), forgetting, or not knowing, that it's the quality of the feedback that matters. Beyond the processes and the amount of feedback given, research does show that it is the quality of the content and the way the feedback is communicated that has an effect. In order to attract and retain top talent, engage employees, and improve business performance, today's managers must therefore master the art of feedback and verbal recognition.
This training will introduce you to this art by teaching you the 6 specific characteristics of optimal negative feedback as well as the 4 skills to verbally demonstrate recognition in a credible and authentic way. The emphasis is on practicing, both orally and in writing, the skills learned in order to ensure that participants are able to quickly use the tools acquired.
Language(s)
English
French
Key Words
Change-oriented feedback
Promotion-oriented feedback
Optimal functioning
High quality motivation
Work climate and culture
- Duration: Either 90 minutes or 3 hours
Content:
- Introduction to Strengths Management:
- While most people focus on correcting weaknesses to enhance performance, this training emphasizes the identification and optimization of personal strengths.
- Studies reveal that only a third of individuals can name their strengths, and only 17% use them regularly at work.
- Why Strengths Matter:
- Strengths management (an abundance approach) is a novel, evidence-based method that promotes both performance and well-being at work and in life.
- Contrasted with weaknesses management (a deficit approach), strengths management complements existing techniques for optimizing performance and development.
- Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the concept and benefits of strengths-based management.
- Learn how to implement this approach within organizations.
- Experience the "Me at My Best" training technique to unlock and apply personal strengths effectively.
- Introduction to Strengths Management:
Language(s):
- English
- French
Key Words:
- Positive psychology
- Performance
- Well-being / Happiness
- Abundance / Growth mindset
- Strengths
- Duration: 3 hours
Content:
- Overview:
- Businesses are shifting from annual appraisals to regular and personalized feedback conversations to meet employee needs and improve engagement.
- Scientific studies show that verbal gratitude is often more effective for employee mobilization and engagement than material or financial rewards.
- Key Insights:
- Feedback Process vs. Feedback Quality:
- While organizations often focus on the logistics of feedback (e.g., frequency, timing, evaluation questions), research highlights that the quality of feedback has the most significant impact.
- Effective feedback requires both well-crafted content and appropriate communication methods.
- The Art of Feedback and Recognition:
- Learn the 6 characteristics of optimal negative feedback that ensure clarity and constructiveness.
- Master the 4 skills for verbal recognition to demonstrate credible and authentic appreciation.
- Feedback Process vs. Feedback Quality:
- Hands-On Practice:
- Participants will engage in oral and written exercises to practice and apply the tools and techniques acquired.
- This ensures that they can quickly implement their new skills in real-world scenarios.
- Overview:
Language(s):
- English
- French
Key Words:
- Change-oriented feedback
- Promotion-oriented feedback
- Optimal functioning
- High-quality motivation
- Work climate and culture