Fear can certainly be an effective motivational method. It is most likely the first motivational method used and in many instances, is still effectively used today.

The Guillotine or decapitating machine, named after a French physician, Joseph Ignace Guillotine, was first used in 1792. Throughout the French revolution, members of their society that committed crimes or failed to conform to the norms were often beheaded. These public beheadings were a very effective motivational method to change people's behaviors during this period in time.

Although public beheadings are no longer a threat, think about how fear still plays a significant role in motivating associates to conform to the organization's norms and abide by their rules. Within an organization, an associate's greatest fear is most likely that of termination resulting from their failure to adequately perform their job responsibilities. How often are associates terminated today due to their failure to achieve unknown, misunderstood or unattainable goals? When associates are unfairly terminated, what impact does this have on the surviving associate's morale?