How to Take Action When Fear Is Holding You Back

Great Leaders Feel Fear. They Lead Anyway.

What would you do differently as a leader if you weren’t afraid of failing?

Would you have a conversation you’ve been avoiding?

Pursue a bigger opportunity?

Make a difficult decision?

Ask for help?

Admit you don’t have all the answers?

Fear can influence leadership in subtle ways. Sometimes it causes us to avoid a situation entirely. Other times, it shows up as endless preparation, overthinking or waiting for the “right” moment.

But courageous leadership doesn’t require eliminating fear.

It requires learning how to take thoughtful action when fear is present.

Why Fear Shows Up in Leadership

Leadership involves uncertainty.

Any time you make a meaningful decision involving people, change or an uncertain future, you cannot guarantee the outcome.

That uncertainty can trigger fear.

What if I make the wrong decision?

What if people disagree?

What if I fail?

What if this doesn’t work?

Those questions are understandable.

The problem occurs when fear becomes the primary driver of our decisions.

That can lead us to avoid necessary conversations, postpone important decisions or remain stuck in situations we already know need to change.

The Board in Front of You

During my Board Breaking Experience, participants eventually stand in front of a wooden board.

They’ve been taught the proper technique.

They’ve practiced.

They’re prepared.

Yet fear can still show up.

The board becomes physical evidence of the obstacle they believe is standing in their way.

And there comes a point when I can’t do the most important part for them.

They have to decide to take action.

Leadership works much the same way.

Your “board” may be an uncomfortable conversation, an organizational change or an opportunity requiring you to stretch beyond what’s familiar.

The question becomes:

Will fear make the decision?

Or will you?

Fear Versus Risk

Overcoming fear doesn’t mean ignoring risk.

That distinction is critical.

If a decision has significant consequences, courageous leadership requires gathering information, considering alternatives and preparing appropriately.

But not every uncomfortable feeling represents danger.

Sometimes discomfort simply means we’re entering unfamiliar territory.

One question I find helpful is:

“What is the actual risk here, and what am I imagining might happen?”

That question can help separate facts from assumptions.

Then ask:

“What can I reasonably do to prepare?”

Once you’ve prepared, there may still be uncertainty.

That’s where courage enters the equation.

Leadership Confidence Is Built Through Experience

We sometimes imagine confident leaders as people who always know exactly what to do.

I don’t believe that’s how leadership confidence really works.

Confidence grows when we repeatedly experience ourselves handling difficult situations.

You have the conversation and realize you can navigate disagreement.

You make a difficult decision and learn from the result.

You step onto a stage and discover you can communicate your message.

You make a mistake, take responsibility and recover.

Each experience gives you new information about yourself.

That is how a stronger leadership mindset develops.

Three Steps for Leading Through Fear

1. Name the fear.

Be specific. What are you actually afraid will happen?

Fear becomes easier to examine when we bring it into the open.

2. Evaluate and prepare.

Determine whether your concern represents a legitimate risk. If it does, what preparation can reduce that risk?

Get the information you need. Practice. Ask for advice. Develop a plan.

3. Take the next courageous action.

At some point, preparation needs to become action.

Schedule the conversation.

Submit the proposal.

Make the decision.

Raise your hand.

Take the step.

Your Breakthrough Challenge

Think about one situation in your leadership where fear has been influencing your behavior.

Write down exactly what you’re afraid might happen.

Then separate what you know from what you’re assuming.

Prepare for the legitimate risks.

Finally, identify one meaningful action you can take this week.

Courageous leadership doesn’t mean you’ll never experience fear again.

The goal is to develop the ability to recognize fear without automatically surrendering your decisions to it.

Because leadership isn’t reserved for moments when everything feels comfortable.

Some of our most important leadership moments arrive when we feel uncertain and choose to move forward thoughtfully anyway.

Great leaders feel fear. They lead anyway.

Chris Natzke

America's Breakthrough Sensei