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 proble...