Influencing Without Pressure: Insights from Prof Lars Tummers on Subtle Motivators

10 December 2025

On 26 November 2025, Lingnan University Institute for Advanced Study (LUIAS) proudly hosted a thought-provoking public lecture titled “Subtle Motivators: How to Influence Other Humans Without Being Pushy”, delivered by Prof Lars Tummers, an internationally renowned scholar in behavioural public administration.

Prof Tummers is Chair Professor of Public Administration and Organisational Science at Utrecht University, the Netherlands, and a Senior Lingnan Scholar at LUIAS. He has previously held fellowships at the University of California, Berkeley, the City University of Hong Kong, and the University of Oxford. Prof Tummers’ research focuses on public management, leadership, and behaviour change. He is developing the interdisciplinary field of Behavioural Public Administration, which bridges psychology and public administration.

Drawing from his forthcoming book and decades of behavioural research, Prof Tummers captivated the audience with insights into the power of “subtle motivators”. These are evidence-based strategies designed to encourage positive responses without force or coercion. Rather than relying on overt demands or complaints—which often backfire—Prof Tummers explained how subtle shifts in approach can dramatically improve the likelihood of a favourable response, whether in leading teams, shaping public policy, or navigating everyday interactions.

Throughout the lecture, Prof Tummers illustrated his concepts with vivid real-life examples and findings from his own field studies. He contrasted traditional methods of motivation with newer, more nuanced techniques. Key strategies discussed included offering autonomy, setting helpful defaults, leveraging social norms, and fostering face-to-face interactions. Attendees gained practical insights into how these motivators operate not only in daily life, but also within organisations and across public policy settings.

The lecture gathered a diverse group of staff, faculty members, students, and members of the public, all eager to explore innovative approaches to influencing human behaviour. The lively Q&A session showcased strong engagement, with attendees actively seeking advice on applying subtle motivators in their professional and personal lives.

The public lecture was supported by the Vincent Woo Distinguished Visiting Scholars Programme, which aimed to invite globally renowned scholars to visit Lingnan University for a public lecture and to participate in various academic activities.