Fear and Leadership
It’s 1:30 am. The TikTok doom scroll is in full effect.
You know if you blink for one minute, you’re going to miss something important. Not on TikTok, that will still be there. You’ll miss something in your business. In your life.
Can you feel yourself starting to spiral into unrelenting worry?
Fear is not an emotion that we talk about in business very often. You’re supposed to be tough, ambitious, and take-charge. You’re not supposed to be scared! What kind of leader is scared?
A good one, that’s who.
Fear is a normal part of human existence. Our brains are hard-wired from thousands of years ago to rightfully fear things that would cause us bodily harm or death. We may not regularly face the saber-toothed tiger these days, but that doesn’t mean we’re never afraid.
Fear can be tough to avoid between COVID-19, the environment, ever-changing global politics, and the stories on the local news. But being afraid doesn’t mean you aren’t a leader. Being afraid means you’re a human. If you own or run a business, you must learn to lead despite sometimes being fearful.
Checking in with yourself is the first step in leading even when fearful. Are you really ok?
Do you need to take a breath, a break, or a quick vacation? Before effectively leading others, you must tend to your own needs. Talk to good friends. Make a list of things on your mind so you can literally set them down for the night. Try a 5-minute meditation.
Whatever works for you, DO IT.
Next, get your priorities in order. Somedays (let’s be realistic - it’s most days), we just can’t do it all. And that’s ok because if we’re honest with ourselves, everything doesn’t have to be done right this second.
Decide which tasks are most important and most urgent.
And be very firm with yourself about not sweating the small shit. At the very least, delegate it. Your team is there to help you, so empower and let them!
Be honest with your team.
Communicating to them that you may be dealing with fear and uncertainty doesn’t make you weak in your team’s eyes; it makes you an actual flesh and blood relatable person. If you’re struggling, communicate it to people you trust on your team. They can help you devise plans in the business’s best interest if they have accurate information. Employees appreciate knowing that mental health, including your own, is important.
You are not a well-oiled cog in a machine that never jams.
Sometimes, we flat don’t get as much done as we planned. Other times, we may sail through something we feared might be difficult. It’s imperative to allow for that give and take as it happens. Compassion for yourselves and others goes a long way.
Good leaders check in, especially when times may be tough.
Ask your team how they’re doing. If you’re struggling with fear or anxiety, they may be, too. A massage might be exactly what you need to relax and regroup, but that may not be the same for others in the organization.
Ask what they need. An afternoon off or a desk closer to a window may be an incredibly small price to pay for the loyalty you’ll gain from any employee who feels heard.
Knowing when to ask for help is the mark of a great leader.
Reach out to your support network, or your mental health professional, or an online group whose intentions vibe with yours. Look for local resources available to provide support in various ways. And don’t forget to share info about those resources with your team.
Fear isn’t going away.
Dealing with feelings of fear, worry, and anxiety while leading makes you bold, courageous, and most importantly, human.
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Give us a call or shoot us a DM, we got you!
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