Most people mistake fear for respect, but it is different and you can't have both. Fear is clearly defined as “to be afraid of (someone or something) as likely to be dangerous, painful, or threatening.” The fear based method I found is less productive and unfortunately more common.
In a workplace culture where fear is the dominant energy, employees feel anxious and frequently worry about unwanted consequences including job loss. On the contrary, in a workplace culture built on trust, employees feel a sense of security and meet their objectives out of desire rather than fear.
In his book The Prince, Machiavelli supports that “it is better to be feared than loved if you cannot be both”. The way Machiavelli sees it is that while having both is the ideal, being feared is better because fear is stronger than being liked or loved. As he puts it: “It would be best to be both loved and feared.
Fear-Based Thinking is what happens to our mind and brain when repeatedly exposed to experiences or messages that trigger fear. One problem with Fear-Based Thinking is that it stops us from asking questions. Questions are the key to understanding. There can be no freedom or progress without questions.
Here are sure-fire ways we (inadvertently) instill fear of ourselves in others:
- Shut down all communication if somebody says something “wrong.” The effect is even more powerful if you grit your teeth.
- Interrogate the other.
- Accuse, criticize, and insinuate.
- Blame others.
- Complain.
The universal trigger for fear is the threat of harm, real or imagined. This threat can be for our physical, emotional or psychological well-being. While there are certain things that trigger fear in most of us, we can learn to become afraid of nearly anything.
Fear can be difficult to pinpoint, but, often, if it's having an influence on the organization, it can be found coming from those in leadership positions. The inverse of leading by fear is leading by respect. Both men were powerful leaders.
Difference Between Fear and Respect. Emotions play an important role in our daily lives. Fear is one such obnoxious emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is unsafe whereas Respect is something that can be earned through someone's feelings, needs, ideas and wishes into consideration.
If you experience work-related fear, it might be the result of economic factors, concerns over job security or mismanagement, but you must make sure those issues don't affect your ability to maintain a safe and productive work environment.
Fear is routinely used in organizations and interpersonal relationships as a source of motivation. Some research supports the use of fear to motivate employees to work and to change. Some research shows that fear is a good motivator and if used wisely can produce positive results.
They key emotional characteristics of a phobia, are excessive and unreasonable fear, anxiety and panic. An emotional response is triggered by the presence, or the anticipation of, a specific object or situation, which is excessive in relation to the danger actually posed.
To truly
lead is to
lead with love and follow your heart.
Here are 19 ways to make it happen.
- Lead with authenticity. Make sure your words and actions are always congruent.
- Lead with character.
- Lead with awareness.
- Lead with courage.
- Lead with wisdom.
- Lead with focus.
- Lead with motivation.
- Lead with collaboration.
If they are loved, as opposed to being feared, they are more likely to foster a climate of trust and collaboration in which people can give their best.
8 Qualities of a Bad Leader & How to Become a Better One
- Lack of Flexibility. A poor leader invariably adheres to one style of leadership without considering the context of particular situations.
- Too Self-centered.
- Unable to Empathize.
- Not Forward-Thinking.
- Lack of Enthusiasm.
- Doesn't Show Trust.
- No Integrity.
- Poor Communicator.
Reduce Fear with Mindful Relaxation
- Commit to an uninterrupted length of time each day to do your practice.
- Choose a quiet place.
- Find a comfortable body position.
- Focus on the repetition of a word, sound, prayer , or your breath flowing in and out.
- Create a positive state of mind.
The main function of fear and anxiety is to act as a signal of danger, threat, or motivational conflict, and to trigger appropriate adaptive responses. Ethologists define fear as a motivational state aroused by specific stimuli that give rise to defensive behavior or escape.
You can incorporate these behaviors into your company to give your employees a sense of control and reduce fear in your culture.
- Respond instead of reacting. A common behavior when presented with a challenge is to let your emotions drive the situation.
- Build trust. Building trust takes time.
- Maintain a process.
Fear is an emotion and evolutionary advantage felt by humans and animals in response to a perceived threat. It is used to motivate a person or animal into engaging in a behaviour that is most likely to allow them to survive. Anxiety induces feelings of fear and worry but it is not always known what is triggering it.
Great leaders are people in which others have confidence and respect. They have clear goals but are very open to alternative perspectives. They care about the people who work with them but are capable of making hard decisions when necessary. They are self-confident without being loud, aggressive or dominating.
Direction and Motivation:
It is the primary function of a leader to guide and direct his group and motivate people to do their best in the achievement of desired goals, he should build up confidence and zeal in the work group.It is prudent to be somewhat wary of your boss because in the U.S. at least, your boss can cut you loose at a moment's notice. However, your fear will dissipate as you realize that you have power in the equation, too. You need Tricia to keep you employed but she needs you, too. Her actions are making that clear.
Culture of fear is a term that refers to a perceived prevalence of fear and anxiety in public discourse and relationships, and how this may affect the way people interact with one another as individuals and as democratic agents.
