Accepting Fear and Embracing Courage: Perspective from a Leadership Coach

My snorkeling adventure, embracing courage, diving into clear blue waters. "You can choose courage, or you can choose comfort, but you cannot choose both." -Brene Brown

Have you ever hesitated before speaking up in a meeting, making a bold decision, or stepping into a new leadership role? That hesitation – rooted in fear – is something every leader faces. Fear is our natural, biological survival response that protects us from danger. But in leadership, it often becomes a barrier to thriving. Fear causes procrastination, indecision, and reactivity, eroding our confidence over time.

Overcoming fear requires courage, an often-underrated leadership competency. Courage is the quiet yet powerful determination to move forward despite uncertainty, and it can be developed with fresh perspectives. Leaders willing to broaden their perspective can break free from fear.

I’ve written in the past about the power and clarity we can find in a strong network, but sometimes fear grips us and no amount of networking will shift our mindset. Only you can change you. In this leadership blog post, I share 10 perspectives that can be helpful prompts for dispelling the old and false narratives keeping you from experiencing your hopes, motivations, and dreams. Use these perspectives to face the fears limiting your leadership success.

1. Your Inner Circle. Great leaders have a desire to see those around us achieve, rise, and thrive. Sincerely consider what is the better, right thing to do. You can consider this perspective quietly or through conversations. Who in your circle would benefit from your courage?

2. Your Future Self. Imagine looking back five years from now at your skills, network, confidence, and knowledge, and imagine the significance of the bold step you are contemplating today. Visualize the best-case scenario and take the risk. Will you be proud of the courage you displayed today?

3. A Learner. To become good at anything we must study it, practice it, and learn from it. Failure is possible, but the lessons we learn from the experience strengthen our position as we continue moving forward. What will you face today with a learning mindset?

4. Your Legacy. Thinking in terms of legacy can push us beyond fear and into action. Sometimes deeply believing in our dreams can strengthen our resolve. Consider how your actions today will contribute to your overall legacy. For what do you want to be remembered?

5. Resource Awareness. Every moment of hesitation costs resources – time, energy, and opportunity. Acting decisively helps keep conflicts from escalating. Consider the resources used and those squandered based on action and inaction. What would action free up for you and your team?

6. A Grateful Heart. Gratitude counteracts fear by shifting focus from what could go wrong to what is already going right. Leaders who embrace gratitude cultivate resilience and confidence. What opportunities, skills, and relationships are gifts today equipping you to face this challenge?

7. The Worst-Case Scenario. Fear often amplifies the worst possible outcome. More often than not, the fear of failure is greater than failure itself. By addressing your worst-case scenario, you gain clarity needed to develop a plan and realize that it’s manageable. What’s the worst that could happen?

8. A Higher Power. Regardless of your transcendental beliefs, metaphysical experiences and practices encourage us to be the best version of ourselves for something much larger than ourselves. We don’t, can’t know everything. How aligned are your behaviors with a much greater vision?

9. People Who Look Up To You. We never know who is watching or who we are inspiring. Whether it’s your team, your colleagues, or your family, someone is watching how you lead. Choosing to go along or stand your ground could be the catalyst for growth for many. Who all benefits when you choose courage?

10. The Person in the Mirror. And now come back to the person in the mirror: you. Confidence comes not from perfection but from knowing yourself fully. Be honest about your strengths, weaknesses, and the clarity you’ve gained through these other 9 perspectives. What are you facing now to which you can add new perspective?

Courage is like a muscle, the more you use it, the stronger it becomes. As you navigate doubts and fears, be kind to yourself. Explore these perspectives, embrace what resonates most for you, use these perspectives for positive action, and follow it up by creating space to reflect on the outcomes and impact. This week, I challenge you to take one bold action that prioritizes your ambitions and stretches your leadership. Face that difficult conversation, take that risk, or make that decision you’ve been avoiding…your goals are more fulfilling than your fears.

Choose to listen to the perspective that moves you forward and watch your fear shift to new confidence. If I can support you, let's chat!

As a leadership coach, I coach growth-minded professionals to lead well, get recognized, and thrive.

Let's Chat!