Many moons ago, as a 10 year old, I wrote an essay called “Fear, My Master” that was published in the national papers in India. It was a true story based on my Dad’s chauffeur who climbed a tree because he saw a tiger in the forest. He was never able to climb a tree before that.
As a ten year old, it was amusing, and my liberal interpretation of that event with a dose of creative fiction. As a much older, wiser version of that young boy, life has taught me that fear is a terrible teacher, and a horrible master.
The fear, of retribution, or losing ones livelihood, may cause someone to perform a task, but it is clearly not sustainable, nor fun. Who lives like that? No one should have to….
Nurture, encourage, coach and reinforce positive behavior. That’s how we build effective teams. Fear will have to take a back seat to the cheer leaders in our midst.
About Hemant Rustogi