A Leader's Secret Weapon, Or Darkest Curse

In modern culture, there are many things that we demonize.

It tends to be extremely unhealthy and detrimental when we do this.

On the top of this list are emotions - Some are more demonized than others.

However, every emotion has a purpose IF you know what it is telling you.

Most people will run away from their emotions.

But the best Leaders understand there is power in understanding what certain emotions are trying to tell them.

One of the most misunderstood and underutilized emotions is Fear.

The Detrimental Myth

It is common to hear myths about Fear, especially in business.

From the lie that some individuals don't feel it, to those that say fear will destroy you.

Most of what we hear about Fear is based on myths.

Now, I'm not saying there aren't downsides to fear - there are.

• Slower Decision Making
• Decreased Creativity
• Lower Emotional Intelligence
• Lowered HRV (Increased Stress)

All of these can be consequences of Fear.

However, there is a problem with looking at fear how we typically see it.

We end up "fearing" Fear itself!

We become worried that our Fear will lead to making slower decisions, or worse to wrong decisions.

We are afraid of how Fear will prevent us from coming up with creative solutions to our problems.

We worry about how we might react to others when we feel that Fear.

We become obsessed with how the stress continues to grow, and how it may end up consuming us.

Due to this approach to Fear, it becomes significantly worse.

It begins to control our lives negatively.

Just like adding gasoline to a fire - Our fearing Fear impacts us at much higher levels.

But there is another approach.

The Truth

Instead of seeing "Fear" as something we need to avoid, just recognize it for what it is.

A normal human emotion.

Just like every other emotion, it is an indicator attempting to help us navigate this crazy thing called life.

We can look at what it is indicating and utilize that as a way to read the environment we are currently in.

Fear can reveal many things that Leaders can utilize to aid themselves and their teams.

• Missing Resources
• Plans Are Missing Something
• People Might Not Be Giving Enough Information
• Understanding There Is A Lack Of Skills

This is a small list, but there is a key that can greatly impact your success.

All of these things reveal something that you can take action on.

Don't have the resources?

• Can you be creative to get the resources?
• Or can you focus your efforts in different ways?

Do the Plans feel incomplete?

• What could be missing?
• How can you work around that?

Are people not giving enough information to you to plan well?

• What other questions can you ask to draw out the information?
• Are they reacting in this manner for a specific reason?
• What can you do about that?

Do you have a fear because you realize you or your team is lacking certain skills?

• How can you get those skills?
• Can they be developed?
• Can they be trained?
• Can you get the resources to hire a new person?

Does this mean you must alter the plan to account for the missing skills?

All of these questions drive action - and that is what you need to understand.

Fear can be an indicator of how to take better action.

Not only for yourself but for your entire team!

When you recognize fears that arise in others, what can you do to help them navigate them?

Are their fears coming from a lack of experience?

Are their fears coming from a lack of communication?

Are their fears coming due to how communication has gone in the past?

Are their fears coming from seeing something you don't currently see?

With those questions, what can you do to create a more effective plan?

Don't allow yourself to be afraid of Fear, it isn't a bad thing to feel.

Utilize Fear to aid you in accomplishing your goals.

As they say, it isn't that those with Courage lack Fear.

The Courageous have Fear yet act toward their goals anyways.