Whitney Johnson, an executive coach, argues that on-the-job learning is the key to keeping people motivated. When managers understand that, and understand where the people they manage are on their individual learning curve \u2014 the low end, the sweet spot, or the high end \u2014 employees are engaged, productive, and innovative. Johnson is the author of the book \u201cBuild an A-Team: Play to Their Strengths and Lead Them Up the Learning Curve.\u201d