Negative Ways To Motivate

Fear is a powerful motivator. People are afraid that:

• You, the leader, won’t trust or respect them
• They won’t get that promotion
• They’ll get demoted
• They’ll lose their job
• Others won’t like them

But even though fear motivates powerfully, it also motivates negatively. It’s a tool that’s easily used. And it’s one that shouldn’t be used. Here are some ways people use fear:

• Refusing to give praise
• Making excessive demands
• Continually finding fault
• Ignoring with silence
• Raising the voice
• Flying off the handle
• Demanding that the worker do exactly as told
• Embarrassing the worker

Despite the momentary effectiveness of fear (sometimes), over the long run it is counter-productive. People who are fearful become less efficient. Their production level drops.

Rather than fear, motivate by caring. Persuasion. A challenging assignment. A little praise, with a pat on the back. Encouragement. The promise of rewards.

From LEADERSHEETS, of the Office of Student Life at the University of Alabama