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The Difference Between Moving Bolts and Moving People

Written by: Tom Lemanski

Article Overview: Having experienced more than my share of bully managers and their proteges in both industrial and construction environments, it occurred to me that they use the same hammer and wrench mentality on their subordinates as they do with machinery. As managers, I don't believe that they using the appropriate tools for the job. There is a better way. But, it starts with this discovery.

The Difference Between Moving Bolts and Moving People

Having experienced more than my share of bully managers and their proteges in both industrial and construction environments, it occurred to me that they were using the same hammer and wrench mentality on their subordinates as they do mechanically. As managers, I don't believe that they using the appropriate tools for the job. There is a better way.

To tighten a bolt you must make it or physically force it to move, first with your fingers and later use a wrench to apply torque. The wonderful thing about people is that they will move all by themselves and will actually move much faster and easier if you enable and motivate them. With people, forcing or torque-ing damages long term effectiveness. Their threads are easily stripped.

Coercion or Inspiration?

Isn't that the difference between coercion and inspiration? Coerced performance is second rate, at best, and is not sustainable. Coerced people initially perform but eventually quit, either mentally, spiritually or literally. Sustained, peak performance can not be coerced. Greatness comes from inspiration. Inspired organizations attract peak performers. Coerced organizations repel them.

If you were choosing an investment, in which kind of an organization would you prefer to invest; coerced or inspired? If you are a business owner, you make that decision daily.

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Article Tags: bully, mentality, supervision



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