Fear in the workplace is a corrosive, anti-productive emotion.
It prompts us to assume bad motivations in others without evidence.
It prompts us to tell others about our value/experience instead of listening for ways we can learn from them.
It prompts us to remove ourselves when we should lean in and be heard.
It prompts us to say, “yes,” when saying “no” would be more helpful.
It prompts us to say, “no,” when saying “yes” would be more helpful.
It prompts us to not invite, when inviting is what makes us productive.
It prompts us to close down when we should open up.
It prompts us to fake bravado when it would be more helpful to be humble.
It prompts us to defend or deflect when it would be would more helpful to simply say, “I’m sorry.”
Fear is so hardwired in the human experience that it is close to an instinct. And, that instinct used to be exceptionally helpful – when we were fighting off various wildlife for our very survival. Fear is and will always be with us.
The question is not, “how can I experience fear less?”
The question is, “how can I recognize fear more?”
This is spot on!