Should a leader be feared or loved?

Niccolò Machiavelli once said, "It is better to be feared than to be loved." He claimed that fear was a better motivator than love. Therefore, fear is a more effective tool than love, concerning leadership.

I think this question has no definitive answer other than, the authenticity of that leader. Some leaders install a level of fear. Those are easier to follow IF, they are just. However, when fear is layered with inconsistency, favoritism, intimidation or bullying, then that fear will breed contempt and resentment. Overtime that leader will minimize their results.

Perhaps the only time when fear is appropriate or necessary, is fearing the fair consequences of one’s appropriate behavior in accordance to culture and expectations, or not delivering on responsibilities or expectations etc.

The leader that is loved, may be more easily “betrayed” as love is fleeting (according to Machiavelli). IF that loved leader can make tough, even heartless decisions, at the right time and for the right reasons, then team dynamics is optimized. The will not only be feared but respected. There are many styles to consider to help you optimize your style. Another element of a great leader is the ability to adapt dependent of circumstance: when, who and why.

Ultimately, leadership needs to leverage emotional intelligence and act in a way that instills trust, confidence and that inspires. Be authentic. Focus on empowerment rather than power. Be a RESPECTED leader.

One of the main driving forces behind effective leadership is communication. Learn more about communication.

Vital Germaine

President, ENGAGE Teams 360

The Basics of Great Leadership

Vital Germaine Keynote - Standing Ovation for Office Dynamics Conference

Regardless of your position or title, we are all leaders. We all influence and impact our company’s culture simply in the way we behave and show up. Great leaders learn from others and are inspired by other leaders, however, don’t rely on others to drive your behavior and decisions. Be a leader by example at all times, regardless of pay or position.

Here ar e a few basic tools to help you become a great leader.

1. Emotional Intelligence:

   Be aware of your behavior and choices and how they create ripple affects among your team and culture. Through awareness it becomes easier to adapt and fine-tune our behavior, leading to growth and improvement. Be particularly aware of how you make others feel. Video

2. Caring:

   Any leader that clearly communicates that they care for the well-being of their colleagues and/or team becomes a high-value person (read my book, Pink Is The Color of Empathy)

3. Listening:

   Listening with an open, caring and understanding ear or heart is one of the most empowering things a leader can do as a leader.

   “To be an effective leader, you have to be a really good listener and not to what's being said, but to what's not being said. You have to be really observant.” - Kobi Bryant

4. Adaptability

   The ability to pivot and change course when needed is key to human survival, let alone leadership. How flexible are you? Do you have an innovation mindset that can navigate challenges with poise and confidence. Read the book, Innovation Mindset.

5. Inspiration

   “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” - John Quincy Adams (6th President of the United States)

6. Collaboration:

   Short video

7. Communication:

   To begin your journey into becoming a great leader, know that communication skills are crucial. Let’s begin with the acronym H.A.I.L from Julien Treasure (Ted Talk). Implement these four pillars of effective and confident communication and so much will improve.

   - Honesty

   - Authenticity

   - Integrity

   - Love (respect/caring)

1. Bring it all together

Vital Germaine is Las Vegas’ most dynamic and memorable keynote speaker. Watch his sizzle reel:

“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary, is that little extra.”

— Jimmy Johnson

Vital Germaine, President of ENGAGE Teams 360

Workplace design and employee engagement

Here are 3 tips to help you maximize workspaces to elevate engagement, because the employee experience is crucial to the success of your business or organization. It pays to be employee-centric.

1. WORK AREAS: Design environments that inspire creativity and happiness.

It can be done very cost effectively and with a great ROI if you get creative. Location, location, location. Cirque du Soleil adopted and transformed an abandoned fire station in Montreal, affectionately named Angus, to become their “factory”. There was no avant-garde interior design on display. There were no Oompa Loompas meandering the premises doing strange dances. I didn’t witness any magnificent sculptures or art, nor bright colored walls to inspire or promote creativity. All these elements would have helped. Nonetheless, the fact they had chosen an abandoned fire station sent a subliminal message that they were cool, fun, eccentric, and defying context of their market place — All with the purpose to be innovative and deliver entertainment excellence. It’s one of the key factors that sets them apart.

2. MEETING LOCATIONS: The environment in which you hold meetings will heavily influence the level of inspiration and collaboration.

Do something different, new and unexpected (crazy) to disrupt. Pleasantly shock your team to life. In the book, Everybody Always, author Bob Goff shares the story of how as an adjunct law professor at Pepperdine Law School, he was required to have office hours. He saw beyond the limitations of regulations. Nowhere did it stipulate where his office had to be. He established a very unique office. He told his students they could find him in his ‘office’ at Tom Sawyer Island in Disneyland to meet. There is no admission fee and there are no lines. Walt Disney is the consummate businessman driven by imagination and the freedom, which is provides. Even important people enjoy being a big kid at heart.

Bob apparently always had more than ten students show up at meeting times. 

Adding to the story in regards to being creative to establish something different and memorable, The Supreme Court Judge of Uganda once visited the U.S and wanted to see Bob’s ‘office’. Bob picked him up at the airport with custom Mickey ears made for the visitor and took him straight to his ‘office’ at Disney Land. They apparently had a great meeting! Location, location, location. 

3. EVALUATE AND ADAPT: Take the time to evaluate your workspace environment and act accordingly. Change your perspective physically, emotionally and intellectually.

Look in the mirror to better understand what your brand is about and what you’re doing to inspire your employees to reach that objective.

A simple design shift could be the change your company is looking for and needs to reenergize your workforce. Build an environment that is visually pleasing and stimulating… also, emotionally and intellectually safe. Employees must feel confident and supported to step out of the comfort zone, risk and fall. Setting the right tone and mindset is crucial to your company’s growth.

You client base will love you even more for getting creative with your workspace environments without knowing why. We know why… because your workforce will be inspired and engaged.

Learn more about our INNOVATION MINDSET virtual learning opportunity.

The insight from Cirque du Soleil’s highly effective business and culture process in this blog is taken from Chapter 4 (The How of Cirque Innovation) from the book, INNOVATION MINDSET. The full chapter does a deeper dive into solving this easy to fix challenge.

Vital Germaine

President of ENGAGEteams360

Vital is Las Vegas' most dynamic keynotes speaker and corporate trainer. His executive leadership experiences are designed to inspire extraordinary performance. BOOK VITAL TODAY for:

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