Leaders at every level face fear, but what distinguishes great leaders isn’t the absence of fear—it’s how they harness it. In this compelling episode, Gayle Lantz challenges common misconceptions about fear and reveals how it can become a powerful catalyst for leadership growth.
As Gayle explains, “Fear is often a signal that you’re on the edge of something big. It’s not a barrier, but a bridge.”
Drawing from personal experience and extensive work with executives, she explores how leaders can transform their relationship with fear from something that holds them back into a force that drives them forward.
This episode covers:
- Three key misconceptions about fear that limit leadership potential
- The importance of distinguishing between surface fears and core fears
- Why sharing fears with others can actually strengthen your leadership (backed by research cited in Harvard Business Review)
- The three types of leaders and their approaches to managing negative emotions:
- Heroes (focusing only on positivity)
- Technocrats (ignoring emotions entirely)
- Sharers (openly acknowledging fears)
- Practical strategies for using fear as a catalyst for growth
- The connection between fear and common leadership challenges like:
- Micromanagement
- Decision-making
- Innovation
- Team trust
Gayle provides a transformative framework for understanding fear not as something to overcome, but as a powerful indicator pointing toward opportunities for growth and authentic leadership.
Whether you’re dealing with fear of failure, rejection, uncertainty, or any other leadership challenge, this episode offers insights to help you step into your fears with confidence and emerge as a stronger, more courageous leader.
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Previous Episodes:
A Surprising Source of Leadership Wisdom: How to Adapt and Lead Smarter