FEAR

Oct

2023

Unleash Your Inner Fearlessness

Leadership is no cakewalk, is it? The constant pressure to innovate, keep up with the competition, and make pivotal decisions can leave even the most accomplished entrepreneurs on edge. Fear can easily creep in, stifling your potential for growth and hindering you and your company’s growth.

Well, fret no more! In today’s blog post, we’re diving deep into the realm of fear in leadership and uncovering ways to overcome it. So grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and let’s get ready to unleash your inner fearlessness.

Identify the Fear Factors
Fear can manifest in different ways, from the fear of failure to the fear of making unpopular decisions. Begin by pinpointing the specific fears that tend to derail your leadership. Awareness is the first step towards overcoming them.

Embrace Vulnerability
Leadership is synonymous with strength, right? While strength is indeed essential, embracing vulnerability can be equally powerful. Acknowledging your fears and sharing them with your team creates an atmosphere of trust and transparency, fostering a stronger company culture.

Leverage Prior Successes
Remember those times you conquered hurdles and achieved remarkable results? Take a moment to reflect on your past successes and remind yourself that you are more than capable of overcoming any challenge that lies ahead. Draw strength from your prior achievements.

Cultivate a Growth Mindset
Fear often stems from a fixed mindset, limiting your ability to see beyond the challenges. Nurture a growth mindset, focusing on continuous learning and improvement. Embrace the belief that you can develop your skills and rise above any obstacles.

Build a Support Network
Fear can be isolating, but you don’t have to face it alone. Seek out mentorship and surround yourself with trusted advisors who can offer guidance and support. Collaborating with like-minded individuals can inject fresh perspectives and provide the encouragement you need.

Take Calculated Risks
Fear thrives on the unknown, so arm yourself with thorough research and analysis. Ditch the overthinking and embrace calculated risks. Trust your instinct and make well-informed decisions, knowing that setbacks are often stepping stones to success.

Foster a Positive Environment
As a leader, the energy you bring to the table matters. Set the tone by fostering a positive work environment that encourages your team to take risks, learn from failures, and grow. An atmosphere of psychological safety empowers everyone to push their boundaries and contribute to transformative growth in every way.

Remember, fear is nothing more than an illusion that holds you back. Great leaders face their fears head-on and rise above them. By implementing these strategies, you will conquer your fears and unlock new opportunities that seemed impossible before.

So, business leaders, it’s time to step out of the shadows of fear and into fearless leadership. Which of these areas do you need to grow in? Need help thinking into how to break through your fear barriers? Contact me for a powerful coaching session to help you reach the next level. Lead well.

Oct

2022

Fear as A Path to Growth

This is the time of year in the United States where people celebrate Halloween. This my least favorite holiday. Don’t get me wrong, I like the candy but there is nothing good for me by eating the candy.

What this holiday represents is the idea of fear. It celebrates fear and I want to suggest that the only thing to celebrate about fear is that it is our path to growth.

What do I mean by that? Allow me to reflect on the thoughts of some other people around this idea. I discussed this idea of fear in a past blog highlighting two perspectives on the idea, but this time I want to highlight how fear relates to growth.

The Ledge

Imagine standing at the edge of a cliff ready to jump off. Why am I standing there? Because I am tied to a rope and about to rappel down the side of a mountain. The nerves are high, and all types of thoughts go through my mind. Primarily “what if” scenarios. I must face my fear.

In his classic book Think and Grow Rich Napoleon Hill suggests:

“Fears are nothing more than states of mind.”

When looking over the ledge there is a legitimate concern that stepping off will end poorly, but what causes me to step off the ledge. I replace the state of fear with faith in the rope and those who hold it. The fear is real and what I focus on can make it decrease or increase.

As leaders we stand on the ledge of a choice to grow. Grow our team, grow our business, grow personally. The choice will take us into the fear zone which leads us to how we grow.

Stay Uncomfortable

In his book No Limits leadership expert John Maxwell discusses how to grow our capacity. He shares a story about an experience he read of a man’s month long training experience with a Navy Seal. At one point “SEAL” said to this man:

”If you don’t challenge yourself, you don’t know yourself.”

This is the state where as a leader you have to face the fear of the unknown and get uncomfortable. Kind of like stepping off the ledge even with all the “what ifs” flying through your mind. Only in this state of discomfort can we push the boundaries of ourselves and our team to determine what we can truly accomplish.

Be Wise

One last thought on fear. We don’t want to ignore it because it can warn us. We walk in a dark alley that does not feel right and we are afraid. This fear puts us on alert to impending danger so our senses are heightened.

We don’t want to be reckless as leaders. When looking over the ledge I was attached to a rope, but still was afraid. When looking at a new idea or opportunity, listen to the concerns your team mentions because there is a fine line between courageous and foolish you don’t want to cross.

Sit long enough with the fear to discern:

Is this fear based on something that could destroy everything we’ve accomplished?
Is this fear based on my selfish desire for comfort?
Is this fear that I need to be aware of as a risk when I take the next step?

Fear is normal and healthy when we do not allow ourselves to get trapped. What causes us to get stuck? Believing something that is not true is true.

Where are you? On the ledge, too comfortable, or maybe reckless and not being wise? Take time today to look at the opportunity you’ve been thinking about yet holding back. Ask the questions above, get advice from trusted advisors, and when it’s time . . . step off the ledge. Lead Well!

Aug

2022

Fear in Leadership: Which Approach?

I was standing at my desk one morning typing away and then suddenly from the ceiling dropped a spider right in front of my nose!

Needless to say I jumped back a few feet and may have even made some noise because it startled me. Fear is an interesting thing. We all face it. As leaders we take risks and try to implement change. With this fear can creep in. How do you handle it?

Today I’m not going to give you a few principles but instead two perspectives on how we can approach fear.

False Evidence Appearing Real

Confession: I can’t really swim. You won’t find me in water where my feet can’t touch the ground. I did enough in college to pass my swim test, but water and I do not really get along. Why?

Really simple. Even though I know that I will float I tense up and don’t relax. In my head I think I

will drown if my feet can’t touch the ground. I allow myself to buy into the false evidence that I won’t float and think it is real.

As a leader you have a vision for where you want the organization or team to go. Maybe all you are focused on is the “evidence” of why this cannot happen. Maybe you are pioneering something new and all you see is the obstacles. Maybe a past fear is in your mind and you are focused on that evidence.

It has been said that what we focus on expands. If we focus on the false evidence and reasons why it won’t work when there is evidence how it can work, we will be paralyzed in fear. Whatever the vision is, choose to focus on the possibilities while still being aware of the obstacles. Move forward and identify what is true.

Forget Everything and Run

The first option is a way to move forward amidst fear. This second perspective unfortunately too often many of us take because it is easy. We respond like I did when the spider dropped in front of me. We run.

I remember when the shutdown of 2020 occurred and I was concerned about how I was going to provide for my family. How was I going to keep the business going? I started down the path of running from the fear by exploring other options and giving up on the business. Fortunately, that other option did not become a reality.

I was tempted to forget that things have always worked out in the past as I consistently did what I needed to do. Fear was causing me to be tempted to give up on the vision and run.

As a leader are you tempted to forget what got you to the place you are right now? Leadership is an uphill climb, and we will be tempted to quit. Remember what got you to the place you are. Focus on solutions. Surround yourself with people who will help you think how to move forward and call you out when you are trying to run. Gather a team that will climb the hill with you instead of running at the first sign of trouble.

Fear is part of risk taking and stepping out in courage. That is what leaders do. Instead of choosing either of these options, choose to keep taking the next step courageously moving forward amidst fear. Acknowledge the fear, but don’t allow it to drive you to run or get paralyzed.

Getting stuck in your fear? Contact me for a powerful coaching session to help you think into your leadership and break through your barriers. Lead Well.

Aug

2020

Three Leadership Challenges

I was discussing the leadership competency wheel I use with a client as we began the coaching process. During this conversation what came to mind were three challenges we face as leaders.

Before I go any further allow me to clarify these are felt strongly by those who are striving to lead and not just manage. What is the difference between the two of these? I don’t have time to go in depth with this and I cover them more in depth when I provide some of my leadership trainings. If you want to get a more detailed look at it then e-mail me at randy@wheelercoachingsystems.com and I will send you a free document.

When I was a strength coach much of my time was spent managing because I focused on systems, processes, and athletes efficiently moving through the process. On the other hand, when leading I take people somewhere they may have not been which can be uncomfortable for both of us. As leaders this is when we encounter the following challenges.

Risk

Gary Haugen, founder of International Justice Mission, discusses risk in his book Just Courage as not staying at the visitors center. This is the safe place where we can relax and be comfortable instead of climbing up the mountain to see the view. The mountain feels unsafe and difficult.

The mountain is risk.

Leaders must risk entering unknown territory. When we are fairly certain of the result and have the support of others this risk is minimal. Leading courageously outside our comfort zone makes the risk feel much more real. We see where we can go, but everyone else thinks we are crazy. Leadership requires us to step forward into this risk and grow.

Change

Change is a part of leadership. This could be a change in process or a large shift in direction for the organization or team. Many of us want to change and grow, but few of us want to be changed. The leader’s challenge is bringing people along to help them change with you.

John Maxwell in his book Developing the Leader Within You 2.0 which I facilitate mastermind groups around says:

“Vision divides people. It separates the people who will from the ones who won’t – and that’s a good thing.”

As leaders we must paint a compelling enough vision that people must decide whether they want to be a part of the change or not. When painting the picture, help them see themselves participating. The reality we must accept, which John alludes to, some will not want to follow. That is ok, but maybe their reason is tied to this final challenge we all battle.

Fear of the Unknown

“Leaders must be prepared to make an educated guess based on . . . whatever intelligence is available in the immediate moment.” Leif Babin

Leaders are constantly making decisions. The challenge is not the decision, but the paralysis of analysis. In their book Extreme Ownership retired Navy Seals Leif Babin and Jocko Willink discuss the challenge of uncertainty in leadership. Whether a personal or professional decision we may want 100 percent certainty and have ALL the details, but we never will.

The lack of complete information can create fear of the unknown. When we have anxiety from the fact that we aren’t sure this is the absolute right decision we may be tempted to “wait and see.” Instead, we must move forward with as much certainty as possible and be willing to accept complete responsibility for the results.

As Babin suggests above, gather as much data as possible, make the best educated guess possible, and move forward confidently.

What fear do you need to face to risk and lead change either personally or professionally? Need help breaking through areas you feel stuck in? Contact me for a no cost thinking partner session. Lead well.

May

2020

Control or Let Go as a Leader?

I was watching part of the movie Finding Nemo with my boys. I had been frustrated that day wanting something of value to write in this blog. Nemo’s dad, Marlin, and Dory are inside the whale and an intense conversation occurred.

Marlin was holding on to Dory preventing her from falling into the throat of the whale when Dory said something critical. “It’s time to let go, everything is going to be alright.”

Isn’t this the tension leaders continually have? In times of adversity or crisis this tension is felt even stronger.

Letting Go

What is it we are holding onto? I can think of multiple times in life where I wanted to hold onto the past because it was safe, familiar, and comfortable. What is familiar may not be what is best. In times of adversity and change we often must let go of the familiar to move toward the next normal.

What is safe may simply be comfortable. I remember a nineteen-year-old car I drove that was comfortable, but many would have questioned the safety. When I finally let go of that car the next normal was much better. The question is what do we need to let go of to embrace the next and oftentimes better normal?

Holding On

I would suggest often what keeps us holding on is the desire for control. We want to feel in control. This is a way we deal with our own fears or insecurities. The fear of the unknown is one of the greatest.

Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar, in his book Creativity Inc discusses fear and its relationship to trust which I would suggest is a key to what keeps us holding on. He says:

“Fear and trust are powerful forces, and while they are not opposites, exactly, trust is the best tool for driving out fear.”

In order to let go we have to be able to trust others. In the movie Marlin had to let go of trying to protect his son and trust that Nemo was capable. In leadership we often must let go of the need to have it done our way and fear that it won’t be done right. Instead, trust those we lead will accomplish the goal we defined.

Courageously Move Ahead

That which Marlin feared greatest . . . the unknown ocean, was what he had to face to reach the goal of saving his son. In order to move ahead into the unknown, leaders often must face what they fear. Marlin had one thing we all must have to succeed as leaders.

Community.

All along the journey he had Dory by his side and many others along the way who helped him reach his destination. As we lead courageously into the unknown, we need those around us who will be thinking partners and support to keep moving ahead.

What about you? Is there something you are attached to that is holding you from moving ahead into the unknown and leading to your full potential? Who is around you to help you lead in trust and not fear? If I can help you in any way, please contact me. In the meantime, lead courageously and lead well.

Mar

2020

Are You a Carrier?

I was preparing for a Facebook Live mini workshop I did the other day and an idea came to me. This idea was reinforced as I listened to John Maxwell speak on day one of his virtual leadership summit.

We are carriers . . . all of us.

Whether at work or at home we are a carrier of a disease . . . or a cure.

In the unique reality we are experiencing this idea challenged me. Whether leading at work or at home I am carrying something.

Hope or Fear

Whether in an e-mail I send, a post I make, a blog I write or any communication I make publicly or privately what am I spreading? No matter the circumstances around us we either are a beacon of light and hope or we spread anxiety and fear. This starts with us.

What I allow in my mind and dwell on impacts if I am spreading hope or fear. When we think there is no hope we nurture and act from a fear-based mindset. On the other hand, if we see opportunity and options amidst difficulty we create soil for hope to grow.

Selfish or Generous

The soil we nurture impacts our actions. For example, if we believe resources are limited and will never return our highest concern may be ourselves and from that mindset we will act. Alternatively, if we have hope that the situation we are experiencing is temporary we will consider more than just our needs.

When operating out of generosity we seek to serve, give and help those in greater need. My wife is an amazing example of this generous mindset right now. She has gathered a group of people to partner in serving an elderly neighbor who is not well resourced by purchasing and delivering groceries. Her generosity is rooted in the soil of her selfless mindset. Nurture that soil in each of us and we will spread the same generosity and hope.

The Natural Antibodies

I am a person of faith so you can ignore this part if you want. As I listened to a faith leader recently he reminded me of what I would call the antibodies against fear.

Faith

Hope

Love

Regardless of whether you are a person of faith, as leaders at work and home we spread faith that there will be a better tomorrow. Deal hope to those who are in fear that today’s reality will not last. Extend love to those around us. As we nurture these antibodies, we create an environment that carries hope and healing instead of dis-ease and fear. It all starts in our perspective.

Can I encourage you to take captive your thoughts and ask yourself if it will bring hope or fear? Be aware of reality, but let’s point one another to hope in difficult times and lead as beacons of light to those in our workplaces, communities, and families. You are a leader, you influence, use your influence to be hope and a lighthouse in the storm. Lead well.