📌 Leaders rarely say, “I’m afraid.” Instead, they say, “Let’s be realistic.”
The Shift:
Fear is sneaky. It doesn’t show up as panic; it shows up as overthinking, endless contingency planning, and waiting for just a little more certainty. It presents itself as caution, due diligence, or even strategic patience. But if you look closely, you’ll see it for what it really is: stagnation wrapped in corporate language.
Think about how many big moves- career changes, business decisions, innovations - die in the boardroom under the guise of being "pragmatic." Leaders say, "Let's not rush," "The timing isn’t right," or "Let’s gather more data," when what they really mean is, "This makes me uncomfortable."
Of course, not every delay is fear-based; sometimes you do need to pause. But ask yourself: Are you waiting because it’s the right call, or are you waiting because taking action would stretch you in ways that feel unfamiliar?
The best leaders recognize that wisdom and fear can sound eerily similar. They know that while risk is real, so is the cost of inaction.
Try This:
The next time you think, "Now isn’t the right time," ask yourself:
âś… Is that actually true, or am I avoiding discomfort?
✅ What’s the real risk of moving forward?
✅ What’s the real risk of staying put?
âś… If I were making this decision from a place of confidence instead of caution, what would I do?
Growth never happens in perfect conditions. It happens when you decide to move forward, even when the path isn’t 100% clear.
The Quote that Gets me Through on the Hard Days:
I found this quote during an uncomfortable stretch in my career, when I thought I was failing, but I was really growing. I wanted to run, but I stayed, listened, and began my journey toward self-authorship.
Closing Thought:
In leadership, there’s no such thing as absolute certainty. The real question is: Do you trust yourself enough to move forward anyway?
🎠Until we meet again - pay attention to how fear is showing up in disguise.
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