Compensation strategies don’t operate in a vacuum — they live and breathe inside leadership culture. In this interactive and engaging session, participants will explore how leadership itself functions as a powerful “hidden” total reward that shapes employee motivation, performance, retention, and perceptions of pay equity. Drawing on research, real-world organizational examples, and practical HR applications, this session will show how leadership behaviors directly influence the effectiveness of compensation programs, incentive structures, and rewards communication. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to intentionally design leadership practices that amplify the impact of total rewards, strengthen engagement, and create workplaces where compensation investments truly pay off.