Do you move toward opportunities or away from them?
At first glance, most leaders will confidently say, “Toward them, of course.” But if we’re honest, fear plays a much bigger role in our decisions than we care to admit.
In this post, I’ll show you how to conquer fear in leadership, reclaim your energy, and move toward the version of yourself you were meant to become.
Where Fear Begins
Spend time with young people, and you’ll notice something remarkable: an absence of fear. The confidence is staggering. Ask them what they want to do, and you’ll hear:
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Be an astronaut
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Become president
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Climb Mt. Everest
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Live in Europe
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Make a million dollars
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Sail around the world
So what happens? What kills that “take-no-prisoners” attitude?
Simple: We get burned.
We try and fail. We fall short. It’s painful, embarrassing—and it introduces a dangerous new voice into our head: fear.
The Problem With Fear
Fear is like fire.
Unmanaged, it spreads fast. It consumes your confidence, your courage, and your ambition.
At first, you think you’re running to safety—but really, you’re running from your life.
And that’s the real tragedy. Unchecked fear doesn’t just burn—it erodes your potential.
4 Strategies to Conquer Fear in Leadership
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Clarify Your Dreams
You can’t run away from fear—you have to run toward something better. Define your vision. Be specific. What does success look like for you? Paint a vivid, motivating picture. -
Gain Altitude
Fear thrives in the chaos of day-to-day firefighting. Step back. Get perspective. When you zoom out to the 10,000-foot view, most fears shrink fast. -
Increase Control and Influence
Stephen Covey’s classic 7 Habits reminds us: energy spent on things we can’t control is wasted. Focus where you have impact. It’s energizing—and empowering. -
Experience Joy
Joy is the antidote to fear. It’s impossible to feel both at the same time. Prioritize experiences that bring you joy, even daily. Let joy dilute the power of fear.
Get Deliberate
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Write down the 3 fears currently burning in your mind or heart.
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Break them down with real data and perspective.
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Ask: is each fear rational or irrational?
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Build a plan to manage the rational.
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Use the strategies above to face the irrational.
Fear doesn’t get to drive anymore.
It’s time to take back your confidence, direction, and dreams.
If you found this post helpful, please share it. And check out my book, Talent-Driven Growth for more frameworks like this one.
