FEAR – THE GREATEST
MOTIVATOR
Musings
on Human Resource (HR) Management
By
VIKRAM KARVE
Disclaimer:
1. Please read this story only if you have a sense of humour. This is a spoof, a yarn, just for a laugh, no offence meant to anyone, so please take it with a pinch of salt.
2. This story is a work of fiction. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
NB
No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.
Copyright © Vikram Karve 2013 all rights reserved
FEAR IS THE GREATEST MOTIVATOR - MUSINGS AND A NAVAL YARN
There
are a number of Motivation Theories which are taught in Human Resource (HR)
Management courses in B-Schools.
When
I began working, like all idealists, I too tried out various “benevolent” motivation
techniques derived from these theories.
But
soon, reality dawned, and I realized that “theories” work only on paper.
In
practice, I learnt that FEAR is the
greatest motivator.
You
have many “fears” – tangible and intangible.
An
effective Boss or HR Manager works on your fears in order to “motivate” you.
If
you work in the industry, you may have the prime fear of being sacked, of
losing your job, and there are many other fears too.
Close
your eyes and think about your various fears.
If
you work in the government, there are various “punitive” fears which can be exploited
in order to “motivate” you and make you toe the line.
Every
organization, lays down certain “punishments” to create fear in you and
motivate you to obey the rules and do your job properly.
There
are some “unofficial” motivators too, which “motivate” you to fall in line.
One
of the most widely used motivators is the “fear of transfer”.
I
have seen this motivational technique being used in many cases.
But
when you use “fear” as a motivator, you must remember one thing – don’t stretch
things too far.
Fear
will work only till the “victim” has something to lose.
Beyond
a point – the “fear factor” is like elastic – you stretch it too far and it
snaps.
Let
me give you an example.
On
our ship we had a Chief Petty Officer – let’s call him “P”.
P was a part of the
commissioning crew and had remained on the ship continuously without break for
more than seven years.
Every
time his transfer came, the Captain would get P’s transfer cancelled.
Every
Captain wanted P to remain on board
during his tenure since P was
indispensable.
P was indispensable
since he was a specialist on a key system.
With
increasing years of experience, P
gained more and more expertise and soon he was the unsurpassed expert on the
system.
Every
Captain knew that with P on board,
it would be smooth sailing.
So
every new Captain ensured that, during his command tenure, P was kept on board the ship.
It
was a Catch-22 situation.
The
more P served at sea on board the
ship, the more P yearned to go for
an appointment ashore.
But
conversely, the more P served on
board ship, the more specialist expertise he acquired, and the more he became
indispensable, and his chances of going ashore became lesser and lesser.
P was fed up – seven
continuous years at sea were taking its toll on his health and also on his
family life.
P was delighted when
he got his transfer order to a training establishment ashore as an instructor.
But
unfortunately, the incoming new Captain got P’s transfer cancelled.
“Don’t
worry. You just remain on the ship for my tenure. The moment my transfer comes,
I will see to it that you are transferred to some good place ashore,” the new
Captain assured P.
When
I tried to commiserate with him, P said
cynically: “Forget it, Sir. Every Captain says the same thing. Captains come
and go, all of you come and go, but I am destined to remain stuck in this hellhole
forever.”
A
few days later a new XO (second-in-command)
arrived – a “spit and polish” Commander who had spent most of his time on
training ships.
He
boasted that he was going to “kick us into shape”.
On
the very first day of sailing I was summoned to his cabin.
The
XO was seated in his chair.
P was standing in
front of him, not at attention, but in his usual casual manner.
The
Master-at-arms was standing behind P.
The
XO shouted at me: “I was taking
rounds and your Chief was moving around in a slovenly manner dressed in a
bloody lungi...”
“Sir,
I was going for my bath …” P
interrupted.
“Shut
up!” the XO shouted furiously at P.
Then
the XO turned to me and said: “The bugger didn’t even bother to salute me…”
Again
P interrupted, “Sir, below decks…”
The
XO stood up and looked menacingly at
P.
Then
the XO glowered at P and angrily roared:
“If
you misbehave with me, I will throw you
out of this ship!”
P looked at the XO squarely in the eye and said:
“Sir, if you get me transferred out of this
ship, I will give you a party in a 5-star hotel.”
VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 2013
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
Disclaimer:
All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
NB
No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.
Copyright © Vikram Karve 2013. All Rights Reserved
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About Vikram Karve
A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer and blogger. Educated at IIT Delhi, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and an anthology of short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional and academic research papers in journals and edited in-house journals and magazines for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing and blogging. Vikram Karve lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.
Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@hotmail.com
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925
Foodie Book: Appetite for a Stroll
If your are a Foodie I am sure that you will like my book of Food Adventures APPETITE FOR A STROLL. Do order a copy from FLIPKART:
http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9
About Vikram Karve
A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer and blogger. Educated at IIT Delhi, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and an anthology of short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional and academic research papers in journals and edited in-house journals and magazines for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing and blogging. Vikram Karve lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.
Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@hotmail.com
Twitter: @vikramkarve
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
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