Leaders across all industries are constantly looking for the secret formula to motivate employees and increase productivity. While there are many paths to helping companies become more efficient and more productive, I believe that when it comes to getting the best out of employees, it centers on one element: respect.
The vast body of current research suggests that the best leaders are those who create environments where employees want to perform at the highest level possible on their own. This cannot be accomplished through traditional command and control style management. The best results that I have seen (which are supported by neuroscientific research on how the brain reacts in positive situations) are achieved through one of the most basic human behaviors: the showing of respect.
