The old way to manage people is to instill fear in them. Let them know that you hold all the cards. That you sign their paycheck and ultimately can have their desk cleaned out.
"Fall in line or else!"
Wouldn't it be easier to instead instill motivation and vigor instead of fear? Let them know that you are there to help them solve problems, promote their work, help them make connections to other people and provide new skills for them to succeed?
I guess the end result is the same though.
In both scenarios their desks end up cleaned out. The first scenario after you fire them, the second because you created an environment for growth and promotion and ultimately they leave to take a better job.
The only difference is a lot more work gets done in the second scenario. And of course, usually ends in a hug and a thank you.
