Let's Grow Leaders

You’re on the fast track.  You don’t need sustained results, you need quick wins.  Results matter.  You’ve got a review coming up.  With a few simple tactics, you can get your organization performing in no time.  You’ll be promoted and someone else can deal with the fall out.

5 Ways to Drive Results Through Fear and Intimidation

1.  Prey on their Insecurity

Employees are inherently lazy.  They can work harder, they just need the proper motivation.  Threaten their jobs (this is easier now in a bad economy).  Announce a downsizing, but don’t give any details.  That will keep them on their toes.

2. Create Competition

It’s all about the stack rank.  Don’t reward behaviors, reward results.  When employees help others, take them aside and explain the consequences (see #1).

3. Expand Hours

It’s only common sense.  The more they work, the more they will get done.  Cancel vacations.  Create weekend projects.  Sunday mornings are a great time for emergency conference calls.

4. Raise Your Voice

Fear creates adrenaline.  It’s better than Red Bull.  Raise your voice.  This works best when you single out an employee in front of their peers.  Yell at one, get everyone moving.  You must time it carefully.  Keep your calm demeanor when managing up.  This will help dispel any potential concerns about your style.

5. Hold Daily Check-Ins

Empowerment is the invention of academicians and sappy bloggers.  For fast results, micromanage. Hold daily check-ins with each employee.  Never be satisfied.  I find it best to practice exacerbated facial expressions on my way to work (a little cosmetic mirror works just fine).  If you can’t master the facials, try deep sighs.

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