7 Fears Even the Best Leaders Face: Tips to Overcome Them

Hate speaking in front of a group? Aren’t receptive to negative feedback? Worried that you’ll fail?

It’s OK. Really.

Most leaders feel the same – at least a little – at one time or another. The bigger problem with those fears is allowing them to hold you back from leadership success.

Recognize Fears, Work Around Them

But if you recognize and work around the most common leadership fears that hold back good leaders you’ll become a great one.

Here are the seven most common fears people in leadership positions face and tips on how to overcome them.

1. Fear of Being a Leader

Somewhat shockingly, fear of being a leader holds back some people from taking on leadership roles — whether they’re formal or informal. University of Michigan Ross School of Business researchers found some people just don’t want to step up to the plate as they think leaders get a bad rap.

Some figure if they’re a leader, they’ll be seen as a bossy, domineering figure. Others don’t want to be different from their peers. And a few think they aren’t the best person to lead others — even if their bosses think that way.

Pro Tip: In most of these instances, the would-be leader needs a little more self-confidence or proof of their own self-worth. Don’t be afraid to ask for it … from bosses, colleagues, friends and family.

2. Fear of Repercussions

Leaders need to make some hard decisions that affect their employees, department and sometimes even the company. With all that’s at stake, some fear making the wrong decision – and then they put off any decision.

Pro Tip: The best leaders gather as much information as possible and decide. But here’s the best part: You don’t have to gather all the information and mull it forever. Amazon’s Jeff Bezos says 70% is enough to make timely, effective decisions.

3. Fear of Criticism

There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing and be nothing – Aristotle.

The best leaders must do, say and be more. So you’re going to have to face criticism if you want to be a respected leader.

The best leaders are open to criticism. More importantly, they encourage it.

Pro Tip: If you aren’t being criticized, you might be playing it too safe. So ask employees and colleagues to poke holes in your ideas.

4. Fear of Failure

Leaders work under a spotlight. When they win, it’s seen. When they lose, it’s seen even brighter. That’s what causes some people to recoil: They don’t want their failures to be seen, or worse, mocked.

But the best leaders know that the lessons of one failure can lead to many successes.

Pro Tip: When you fail, fail forward: Pick three key things that went wrong and how you can avoid them in the future.

5. Fear of Responsibility

Leaders are the cause of or solution for things that matter to their employees and teams. That much responsibility for people and team success can keep some people up at night.

Top leaders firmly believe the buck stops with them. They focus on finding solutions, regardless of the cause.

Pro Tip: You don’t have to take responsibility for what goes wrong. But you want to take responsibility for finding — or helping find — the solutions to make it right.

6. Fear of Falling Short

Leaders are expected to take the extra step, meet the higher goal and achieve the best results. That’s a lot on any one person’s shoulders.

The top leaders know they’re defined by results so they’re more likely to block out distractions and detractors that get in the way of reaching goals.

Pro Tip: Keep the goals in sight but focus with laser-sharp precision on the actions that you must take to reach the goals.

7. Fear of Communicating

Every leader needs to communicate well with employees, colleagues and bosses. Many leaders are uncomfortable with presenting and having difficult conversations. So they avoid these situations – and don’t move ahead.

The leaders who do get ahead work to become compelling when they speak, plus fair and inspirational when they have important conversations.

Pro Tip: Practice writing and speaking because most spoken words are written first. The more you practice, rehearse and revise, the more confident communicator you’ll become.

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• Leadership & Strategy