In my work with people I have discovered all of us share five basic fears (Rattlesnakes not included). They are death, the unknown, loneliness (isolation), chaos (out of control), and feeling insignificant. Along with these fears are five basic rules that accompany each one:

Rule #1 - Fear never stays the same. It often opens the door for despair and panic reducing any sense of discernment.

Rule #2 - Fear is infectious and will invade all areas of your life if you allow it.

Rule #3 - Your fear will infect others around you.

Rule #4 - Fear uses worry, confusion, withdrawal, paranoia and a host of other negative emotions for fuel.

Rule #5 - Fear is really a coward in the face of clarity, successes and days lived one at a time.

So what does this mean for you as a leader?

First, you believe with every fiber of your being that you are the person called to lead during times of fear and anxiety! With confidence and optimism you believe.  You can not help to believe.  There is no other choice but to believe you are the one to lead in times of fear and anxiety. Second, if you do nothing else, you lead by being clear and rally others to a better future by setting direction and recapturing the vision regardless of the circumstances. Third, you make no promises.  Only that you know come hell or high water, fear and anxiety will not keep you or the people you lead down!

Let me leave you with this reminder from a friend of mine, Ron Rose.

Fear is the signal that God is about to show up… we are about to feel closer to him than ever before. In fact, this rich fearful moment will become a milestone, a clarifying and transforming experience, if we are willing.

rb