Business Leadership 20: Fear & Doubt Leadership’s Companions

This continues our series outlining the leadership roles and traits to improve your business

All leaders encounter fear and doubt multiple times in their career. Lee Iacocca encountered them when Ford fired him. Business leaders face it when new products sales do not meet expectations. Most business owners and employees face fear and doubt about the future of the economy and their ability to provide for their family.

Respecting Fear and Doubt

Leaders learn to respect doubt and fear. Doubt prevents leaders from assuming they can do nothing wrong. Doubt tempers arrogance and enhances a sense of humility. Doubt may push a leader to reevaluate or reanalyze a poor decision one more time. A little fear of risk whispers caution over a possibly disastrous deal.

Cath Duncan posted four reasons why fear can be a friend. She wrote “But fear isn’t bad at all. All emotions have a positive purpose that serves us. Have you ever thought about the positive purpose of your fear?”

• “Fear alerts us to threats”
• “Fear is a signal you’re learning”
• “Fear let’s you know what’s important”
• “Fear holds creative tension”

Leaders respect fear and doubt without allowing it to paralyze them or rob their confidence. They let it temper them into stronger tools to move business forward with wisdom and courage.

Overcoming Fear and Doubt

Grant Cardone shared in Entrepreneur six ideas to overcome fear and doubt. He offered links to suggestions for each idea. I suggest you read the article and follow the links:

• “Don’t forget that fear is normal”
• “Fill  your calendar—staying busy banishes doubt and fear”
• “Embrace your fear”
• “Go beyond your comfort zone”
• “Take ‘10X’ action”

Max Simon gives four ideas for overcoming fear and managing doubt:

• “Write down what actually would happen if your biggest nightmare in business came true”
• “List out the more probable outcome if you really go for it”
• “List out what is most important to you”
• “Fail fast so that you can get up, learn from your mistakes quickly, and move forward”

Saturday we conclude our series on leadership roles and traits to improve your business