Of all the challenges leaders face, none is more pervasive yet hidden than the fear of failure.
“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.”
– Robert F. Kennedy
Leadership is a tough job that requires courage. Doubts, insecurities, and fears make organizational challenges more difficult and, in extreme cases, insurmountable. No matter how confident you may appear, anxiety and the fear of failure can occur at pivotal times in your career.
Fear is a normal emotion that emerges during times of crisis. It’s been said that courage has no benchmark unless one grasps the reality of fear. Fears are real, often strong, and quite disruptive, but it’s your response to them that defines your leadership hardiness.
The Impact of Fear on Leaders
People may not realize just how much harm fear can cause the individual plagued by it, as well as the team they’re leading, and the company they work for. Fearful leaders can debilitate their organizations’ ability to function properly as well as compromise productivity, decision-making, strategic thinking, and employee management. These leaders are also likely to experience issues in their personal lives as a result of their fears.
Organizations rely on their leaders to set a vision; provide direction; and implement plans that instill trust, confidence, and the performance necessary to meet desired goals. Everybody will be plagued with fears at some time during their careers. It’s not the presence – or absence – of fears, but the ability to learn from and manage them that determine the strength of a leader. Leaders must possess the strength and determination to face the challenges their fears may cause and overcome potential barriers on the way to success.
Managing Your Fears
The task of managing people, with their various motivations, strengths and weaknesses, can prove daunting. Organizational dynamics, rapidly changing markets and tough competition only add to leaders’ challenges. Even heroes have fears, to some degree. But they do what’s required despite their fears, ultimately becoming stronger in the process.
Fear of failure can sometimes be suppressed, but when this proves impossible, you can no longer ignore it. You must deal with it.
Do you struggle with the fear of failure in your role as a leader? If so I’d love to hear how you’ve learned to deal with these fears and become an even stronger leader. You can reach me here or on LinkedIn.
