”In the valley we motivate people by threatening to fire them”
”In the valley we motivate people by threatening to fire them”
Helle Bundgaard | Partner | Motivation Factor Institute | Copenhagen | Denmark
My partner, who is currently in Silicon Valley to pitch our Motivation Intelligence platform to potential investors, was faced with this statement from an investor whose name shall remain anonymous. Frankly I was choked that some people still think that threatening is a good strategy for growth.
Not only does fear make peoples life miserable, it foster an environment of silo thinking, low morale, and a me-me-me culture. Fear makes us focus in a tunnel sighted way, limiting our abilities to see things in a broader perspective.
Take a look at some of the greatest successes in Silicon Valley. Google and Facebook just to mention a few, were they created out of fear? I think you know the answer. If fact, there would be no Silicon Valley if this statement were true. Contradictorily Silicon Valley attract people because its a place of inspiration, innovation, creativity and a believe that everything is possible.
“By eliminating fear, people’s ability to keep self-motivated, take in new learning and manage themselves in a changing environment increases dramatically…”
All organizations can create their own Silicon Valley but it requires that fear isn’t the driving factor. By eliminating fear, people’s ability to keep self-motivated, take in new learning and manage themselves in a changing environment increases dramatically. By eliminating fear organizations get all the things they are seeking for: motivation, team spirit, loyalty, innovation and out of the box thinking. All factors that contribute to a healthy profit maximization.
Contrary to fear is harmony. And harmony comes when you feel that you use your strengths, do what you are passionate about and have a sense of contributing to a higher purpose. Then magic happens and incredible things are invented.
This is not a “by the kitchen table baking Christmas cookies philosophy”. This is all supported by the latest brain research.
“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”
Nelson Mandela RIP said it so beautifully: “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”
Wouldn’t it be a fantastic world if people’s harmony and profit maximization were equally rated? Feel free to share this with as many as possible because if you and I with this message can change just one person perception we have made the world a better place to live in.