How the Best Leaders Directly Deal with Fears
We often forget that fears are part of the universal human experience. They're normal, to some degree, even for leaders. The goal is to avoid compensating for them and, instead, identify and overcome them.
Companies face myriad threats: a volatile economy, politics, cost overruns, competition and disruptive technology, among others. But a particular internal threat can dwarf them: fear at the leadership level. Leaders who can successfully put their fears behind them—and learn from them—make the most significant strides.
As with many aspects of leadership, the direct approach is best. Facing fears is no exception. With the help of an executive coach, you can craft a plan to deal with your fears head-on.
In his book Leading with Emotional Courage: How to Have Hard Conversations, Create Accountability, and Inspire Action on Your Most Important Work, Peter Bregman encourages leaders to use fear as an incentive. A secret's power is broken by exposing your thoughts and perceived weaknesses to your coach, mentor or trusted colleague. Talking through your fears is therapeutic, and you may see how powerless they really are. Freedom eludes you when you bottle up your fears. Solutions are usually less complicated than you first perceive.
If appropriate, admit past fears to your staff—a move that can further reduce their impact. You'll earn people's admiration and avoid criticism or rejection by being transparent and accountable. Strong leaders needn't fear showing vulnerability if they deal with their fears directly and effectively. With experience, they realise their fears are generally overblown and far less potent than initially thought.
Take the opportunity to deal with your fears directly and make much-needed leadership breakthroughs. For some people, it takes reaching an uncomfortable level of fear and anxiety to prompt seeking assistance. We need to flip this and consider it a positive step in the self-confidence journey.
There's no reason to allow fear to debilitate you. Organisations run more effectively, and employees have greater regard for their jobs when leaders dare to lead boldly.
Practice Intentionality to Overcome Leadership Fears
As humans, we are wired to avoid problematic issues and, consciously or unconsciously, will avoid pain. These natural survival traits drive us as far away from the feedback loop as possible. But have you noticed? Leaders who convert critiques into improvements develop the strongest followings and have the fewest fears. They not only welcome feedback, but they also request it. They view constructive feedback as free self-development lessons.
Take intentional action on the feedback you receive. Nothing earns you more respect than admitting you need to improve and taking the required steps to do so. Make sure people can see how your improvements impact their lives. Knowing that every person can improve eases fears. Everyone is in the same boat, and no one has cornered the market on personal and professional development.
Being intentional about preparation removes uncertainty and builds confidence. Doing so stifles the growth of concerns and fears. Anticipating the outcomes of different scenarios leaves less to chance. If you weigh the pros and cons of potential choices, your assessment can help you set aside fears. Understand the truth and scope of circumstances, and trust the people who help you determine them. These positive, logical approaches create the most effective outcomes because they minimize uncertainty.
Intentionally sharpen your focus on the tasks at hand. Many leaders are distracted by shiny things and new stuff. Tempting opportunities often muddle the picture and invite confusion and doubt. As negative emotions gain a foothold, fears quickly follow and self-confidence plummets. Leaders must stay personally focused while simultaneously focusing on everyone else. Your company’s vision, goals and objectives are your true north; distractions and noise must be blocked. Your path to your goal should remain unobstructed. When everyone maintains focus, you can conquer chaos, keep emotions in check and minimize fear.
Intentionality is perhaps best seen in leaders who show resilience when facing setbacks. People need to see a strong, determined and compassionate leader, particularly during tough times. Suppose you can quickly dispatch disappointments and find something positive in the problem that confronts you. In that case, your people will feel more encouraged. This, in turn, encourages you.
Battling fears is easier when you have your people’s faith and support. Establishing a mentally tough approach musters courage, and the most remarkable leaders adopt this mindset. They may still experience fears, but their determination to move forward with small wins overrides most anxieties.
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