If you’ve been following me for any length of time, you know that I believe mindset is everything. Life is a mental game. You vs you. Today, I’m stepping outside my usual content to talk about something that underpins almost every challenge we face as leaders and stops us from being all that we can be in business (and life), and that's fear.
Fear is the source of so much pain. The outside pain in the world and the inner pain we experience. It’s the voice in our heads that tells us to play small, the invisible hand that keeps us stuck, and the source of nearly every stress we experience. What’s worse is that fear only gets bigger when given attention. Entire industries, news and social media platforms are designed to poke and prod your fears because fear grabs attention and keeps us hooked. I read something recently that I thought summed it up well and it said fear often screams, while intuition whispers. The voice of fear is loud and incessant.
And here’s the truth: fear exists only in your mind. I think about this often as I navigate the uncertain and acknowledge that I need to take action despite the fear that constantly nags. There are various reports that say 92% of what we worry about will never happen. So although the fear will never go away, there are things you can do to tame the beast. Courage is not acting without fear, it's feeling the fear and acting anyway.
The Construction Leader's Silent Struggle
As a leader in the construction industry, we face fear daily. Fear of economic downturns, fear of losing a key client, fear of not being able to hire and then the fear of making the wrong hire and then the fear of losing that hire; the fear of not having the cashflow come payday; the fear of stepping into uncharted territory - the list goes on, it is a high-risk industry. And while you might not talk about it openly, it’s there - controlling the results you get, influencing your decisions and keeping you awake at night. And until you recognize it, acknowledge it and learn to manage it, fear will continue to slow you down or completely stop you from making the difference you are here to make.
Fear doesn’t just impact you, it ripples through your team and your business. We can label it different things, fear of failure, fear of success, fear of rejection, fear of letting others down, whatever it is, it takes intention to work through it. Fear can stifle innovation, stop you from pursuing new opportunities, or prevent you from addressing issues that need fixing.
So how do you move past fear when it feels overwhelming?
Tools to Overcome Fear in the Moment
Here are some strategies to quiet that voice in your head when fear threatens to take over:
Name it to tame it: Fear loses power when you identify it. When you feel it creeping in, take a moment to put into words exactly what you’re afraid of. Is it losing money? Embarrassing yourself? Missing a deadline? For me, it is often the fear of what's involved with maintaining a successful company. Naming your fear helps you see it for what it really is - often an overreaction to a worst-case scenario that is unlikely to happen.
Come back to the present moment: Fear lives in the future - it’s your mind projecting what might go wrong, what could go wrong. To combat it, bring yourself back to the present. Take five deep breaths, notice your surroundings, or focus on what you can control right now.
Run the numbers: For a more analytical approach, logic can dismantle fear. Write out the worst-case scenario and assign probabilities to each outcome. More often than not, you’ll find that the feared outcome is far less likely than your brain makes it seem, that's what the stats support.
Flip the script: Words are powerful. Your language will change everything if you let it. Instead of asking, “What if it goes wrong?” ask yourself, “What if it goes right?” or "What if I can?" Shifting your focus to the possibilities instead of the risks creates a more optimistic mindset and generates momentum to take action.
Take the first step Fear screams, it thrives with inaction. Action, no matter how small, will begin to shift the narrative. Send the email, make the call, or start the conversation. Movement creates clarity, and clarity diminishes fear.
Courage bank: Build a “courage bank” by intentionally doing small things that are hard or scare you daily. Over time, you’ll build up the habit of acting in spite of fear, and larger fears will seem more manageable.
Why This Matters
Fear is a thief. It steals time, opportunity, and peace of mind. As a leader, you set the tone for your business. If you're not growing, you're shrinking and your team will notice and vacate. When you act from courage instead of fear, your team will also notice - and they’ll follow suit.
This is about business growth and personal freedom. Living in fear is exhausting, and choosing courage - even when it’s hard - creates the mental and emotional space to lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Fear is a natural part of leadership, and it’s not something you can - or should - avoid. However, you can learn to face it, understand it, and ultimately, rise above it. When you do, you unlock your greatest potential as a leader and business owner.
So, the next time fear whispers in your ear, remember it’s only in your head. Courage is the antidote. Act in spite of fear, and you’ll grow stronger with every action you take.
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