Unmasking Fear – What’s Really Holding You Back as a Leader?

Fear has a way of shrinking your world and your leadership. Sometimes the fears driving your behavior are ones you can’t even see.

In this episode, recorded near Halloween, Gayle Lantz explores the hidden fears that may be limiting your effectiveness as a leader. From the fear of uncertainty to imposter syndrome, from micromanagement to avoiding difficult conversations, these fears show up in subtle ways that can erode trust, kill creativity, and paralyze decision-making.

As Gayle explains, “When you lead from fear, you’re creating caution instead of courage.” But once you can name a fear, you can tame it.

She shares practical techniques for facing your fears, including the power of talking it out, reframing worst-case scenarios, and surrounding yourself with courageous people. 

The episode challenges leaders to get curious about where fear shows up in their leadership without judgment and to ask themselves: “What might be possible if I wasn’t afraid of this?”

Fear is part of being human, even for the most confident leaders. The difference is they don’t let it stop them.

This episode covers:

• Common fears that drive leadership behavior (often unknowingly)
• The hidden costs when fear goes unchecked
• Practical techniques for working through fear
• The power of language in managing fear
• Why courage isn’t the absence of fear
• How to break patterns that no longer serve you

Key takeaway: Facing your fears doesn’t just help you, it opens up your world and creates more opportunities for you and those around you.