Fear is a great motivator. I highly recommend it for leaders interested in short term,

instantaneous results. It causes employees to jump through hoops to please you and it

will just about guarantee that you will rarely hear much bad news. In fact, you will feel

safe and secure knowing you are in complete control.

Of course, ruling by fear does have a few nasty side-affects...but nothing that a few

more threats and insults can't cure. Here are some tried and true techniques that are

sure to inspire just the right amount of "motivation" in your employees:

1. Yell at them in front of peers and customers. This is sure to make them feel

2. Assume they aren't trying to do the job the best they can. Don't let their thin

3. Threaten your employees by telling them they are going to lose their jobs.

4. Keep them off balance by changing the work rules to suit your needs at the

5. Don't tell your employees what you expect of them. This will give them too

6. Don't give too much feedback. This is exactly what they want so don't fall for

7. Change priorities suddenly and often. This is a great way to keep their

mortified and humiliated. There's nothing like showing them whose boss to

get their attention. It's sure to make them dig in and apply themselves to

solving the stupid mistake they made and they will have renewed incentive to

try to please you.

excuses about trying something new or helping the customer deter you from

their real intentions. If you assume they are trying to slack off or sabotage the

work they won't be so quick to pull the wool over your eyes next time.

This is particularly effective if you want them to work extra hard on a special

project. Another tip is to tell them that only the very best workers will be

spared. This added motivation makes them work harder than ever before.

moment. This way, everyone will have to be nice to you to get any favors.

Think of how powerful you'll be! Don't let charges of "inconsistency" and

"unfairness" bother you. After all, you made the rules and you can bend them.

You're the boss aren't you?

much information. It always leads to chaos. How can you control their every

move and keep close tabs on them if they're off on their own doing god knows

what? Besides, if you don't tell them what you want upfront, you can change it

as often as you like.

it. If you don't tell them anything-or just tell them when they make a mistake-

you'll be able to keep them confused and cowed. Only give negative feedback

so they are always inspired by how smart you are. Only really smart people

are able to spot the flaw in everything. If they ask too many questions about

their performance, see number 3.

attention focused on you. If you are good at this people will have to check

with you all the time about what to do next and you won't ever have to leave

your office. It will also make you look very informed and important because

you will react to top management's wishes...and you know how demanding

they can be.

8. Don't show them the strategic plan or the company or department's goals.

9. Threaten them by saying top management is watching their every move. This

10. Only tell your employees the bare minimum. Operate by the "need to know"

11. Don't let employees out of your sight. You won't be able to check on

12. Reward employees who squeal on each other. This will make all of them loyal

They aren't as sophisticated as you are so they wouldn't know what to do with

them anyway. (See number 7)

is very useful if they stop jumping every time you issue an order or they are

reluctant to take on more responsibility. If you scare them about some far

away, distant, menacing rulers, they are sure to do whatever you tell them.

philosophy. Those people who preach "two-way communication" are out of

their minds. Don't they see how employees can use this information against

you? And for heaven sakes, when you do talk to them, don't allow any room

for questions. That's why emails are much better than meetings.

everything they do. It's particularly effective if you peer over their shoulders

while they're working so they know you are on to them and alert to any

mistakes they are about to make. The more you do this, the more mistakes

you will catch them making.

to you and you alone.

If you don't follow these steps you could start to build trust and honesty in the workplace

and if that ever gets started, there's no telling what could happen.

Joan Lloyd is a Milwaukee-based executive coach, organizational & leadership

development strategist. She has a proven track record spanning more than 20 years,

and is known for her ability to help leaders and their teams achieve measurable, lasting

improvements. Email your question to Joan at info@joanlloyd.com and visit

www.JoanLloyd.com to search an archive of more than 1600 of Joan’s articles. Contact

Joan Lloyd & Associates (414) 354-9500. ©Joan Lloyd & Associates, Inc.