Motivation Through Fear or Aspiration?

Who did you work harder for: managers who motivate through fear and 'lashing the whip', or managers that inspired and encourage you and your team? The most productive, energetic committment comes from having a shared vision + alignment with your team and company.

Driving sustainable committment and energy takes:
1) A shared vision to aspire to,
2) A organization structure and goals that aligns people's energy toward that vision.

Mis-alignment and conflicting goals, including competition gone too far, destroys teamwork and results. You won't get far in a boat if people aren't rowing in the same direction.

There's no limit to what people can do and their energy when they share a vision together! Engage the team in creating a shared vision that people can aspire to. We updated our prospecting team's vision every year, and it was one of the first we introduced to new hires.

For example, in early 2005, we asked the team about what would get them excited and was important, which included: making a difference, being the best, trying new things and learning, and then sharing with others. We, still as a team, came up with a vision of:
"Make a difference in the success of our team & company by being the best in the world at generating new business, through constant innovation and the sharing of our expertise"