This week I speak with Karen Hammond about Fear and Leadership. This is an awesome interview and it’s very special to me because Karen is a dear friend and we are going to work together to help you be a better leader through our upcoming leadership program. I have included some of our notes below, but take the time to listen to the podcast. There are some gems in there that I don’t want you to miss that aren’t found in the notes.
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FALSE EVIDENCE APPEARING REAL. FEAR. LET THAT ISH GO.
Fear is a constant struggle in many areas of our lives- so why should leadership be any different. When we take on a team of people….. we are not only dealing with the fear of letting ourselves down, we are dealing with the fear of letting others down. Questions can plague our minds…. Will I be enough? Will I do enough? Will I say the right thing? What if I don’t know the answer? Will they see through me to know that I am fearful? The number one thing most people are afraid of is FAILURE. So now not only am I dealing with my own fear of failure, I am dealing with the fear of failing my team- OR the fear of them failing. ACCKKKKK!!!! You may be asking yourself – how did I get myself into this mess!
Steps to dealing with FEAR.
- Identify what you are afraid of and OUT it. Fear has a sneaky way of coming into our minds. CALL IT OUT. Write it down. What are you afraid of?
- Once you have identified WHAT your fear is. Identify the thought that is creating the fear. For Example: I am afraid that I am not going to be able to motivate my team to perform and they are all going to quit.
- Replace your fearful thought with a thought you can buy into: Example: I am really good at connecting with people and encouraging them. I have helped encourage and motivate many people in the past and I know that I can do that again.
- TAKE ACTION. The best way to face fear HEAD ON is to take immediate ACTION! Example “Today I will reach out and encourage 2 people on my team who I know have been having a difficult time.”
Other thoughts.
- Believing in fear is a choice that we make. In calling out our fear, we take back our power. We always have the choice to choose again. I face fear in leading my team almost daily. Each day I choose to recognize the fear which in turn rendors it powerless over me. I make a choice to CHOOSE AGAIN.
- Normalize it. All leaders face fear. If they tell you otherwise- they are not being truthful. Connect with other leaders on a regular basis and discuss the fears that you are having. You will not only build each other up- but you will learn from each other.
- Being a leader doesn’t mean being perfect. Letting go of the illusion that it means you know everything and have all of the answers is completely freeing. People want AUTHENTICITY in leadership. Admitting your fears to your team members can be powerful and show them you are human. This is a great way to gain buy in and respect.
