What is the thing you are most afraid of?
Likely the thing that first comes to mind is something like spiders, snakes, injections, flying, or heights--these are some of the most common phobias that people face. When phobias become severe, they can be debilitating, and so too can fears hold us back from achieving what we want in the workplace.
Obviously we aren’t worried (as much) about snakes and spiders in the office. At work, people commonly fear things like not living up to the expectations of their colleagues and supervisors, being fired, and being buried in stress.
In recent years job security and compounding stress have become the most prevalent workplace concerns, with advice everywhere about how to combat anxiety and how leaders in the workplace can mitigate the disastrous effects of chronic stress among their team members.
“The essence of bravery is being without self-deception.” Pema Chodron said this in her book on fearlessness and it is as practical as it is profound.
Eliminating workplace fears really boils down to one simple concept: confronting that fear and reframing its presence. Ask yourself what you are most afraid of and more importantly, what could be possible if fear didn’t get in the way. Tackling the obstacles that are holding you back will allow you to not only create change in your own life, but to contribute to change in our workplace and the community around you—it’s good for everyone!
Follow these simple steps to name you fear and begin overcoming it:
Identify Your Fear: sit with yourself and give a name to the thing you are most afraid of when it comes to work. Are you worried about losing your job? About falling under the weight of all your responsibilities? Identifying the specific thing that is causing your fear will give you immediate power to overcome it.
Cultivate a Healthy Mindset: How do you react when your fear rears its head? Begin practising small actions of calm and control when you feel your fear creeping in. Remind yourself that you are capable of reaching your goals and revisit previous accomplishments.
Lead Through Fear and Vulnerability: Communicate your fears when necessary. Recognize shared fears and be honest about what’s worrying you. Teaming up to face your fears will empower you and your colleagues.
It can be hard to face our fears, whether they come in the form of something slithery or as a deluge of urgent emails every Monday morning. By engaging our fears and calling them what they are, we can confront them honestly and begin to leave them behind, leaving room for personal growth and better leadership.