Which is a better motivator: Fear or Respect?

Question

Are most people going to be inclined to work harder and better if they fear their boss and others around them, or if they respect them.

Fear of losing ones' job is a strong motivator, while respect is transient....

Thoughts?

Answer 1

I want to believe that respect can better motivate people, although it's not always the case. Fear, in quite a few cases, seems to work better. Like what you said here, fear of losing one's job than respect for the boss can better motivate people to work harder. It also works with grades at school. You work harder more because you don't wish to get flunked not because you respect the teachers. That's really sad, I think.

Answer 2

Of the two, fear. Everyone is paralyzed by a fear to one extent or the other. Fear has built many monuments and legacies across this globe and it leaves wasted people in it's wake.

I cannot think of any examples where respect motivates. Without personal gain, respect is short-lived at best and will get people involved, but what keeps them going?

The best motivators, however, are passion and reward. When people are passionate about what they are doing and reward is in sight, they will move mountains - every day.

Answer 3

Studies have shown again and again that fear may motivate however it also decreases productivity. Respect not only creates a bond but also encourages a worker to have loyalty and appreciation for his workplace, company and boss. That goes a great deal further in this life then fear. You meet the same people on your way up as you do on your way down.

Answer 4

Both work equally well in the short run but respect gets more results over time.

I am a boss and the most important thing to me is that my guys respect me. They only have to fear me if they do not do their jobs.

Answer 5

When an employee respects his employer he will not want to displease him and will go the extra mile to accomplish tasks, complete goals and try to make the employer look good while making himself indispensible. Whereby if an employee is afraid of the employer then he will just do the minimal amount of work required and punch out asap and not put in any extra time or effort. These are the employees that will then begin to cut corners and steal from the company feeling justified and having no loyalty to the employer.

Answer 6

Respect.

Fear creates the false impression of motivation, while respect tends to create genuine motivation.

Also, I think self-respect is a greater motivator even than fear of losing one's job.

Answer 7

You need faith, fear,trust, and mostly Love. It is stages that you pass through, the highest is Love. But, not many people reach this stage quickly. A human has the long hope that keeps him from seeing the end. A doctor telling a person you are going to die soon, opens the reality and put the fear that have not really gone through the trust to reach the Love part. Therefore, fear overwhelms a person who realizes that he has missed a lot and did not think about the realities of life to gain trust and reach the stage of love.

Answer 8

Wrong. Fear is the great attractor that pulls its object into being a reality. Respect is the motivator that keeps awareness of reality from evolving into fear.

Answer 9

Fear is how its been from the beginning of man kind. How do you think they get people's attention to listen to what the Bible has to say with out fear. From fear you learn Respect.

Answer 10

In this case, fear. Because I HAVE to be able to provide for my family so the fear of losing my job is enough motivation to keep me going.