TLP122: What Scares Us the Most

It’s a Jim and Jan Halloween episode! To get into the spooky spirit, they tell us what scares them the most, both professionally and personally. They then discuss ways in which fear can help us prepare, motivate and leave us stronger. Whether it’s a fear of public speaking, networking, or delegating, this episode will remind you that you're not alone.   Key Takeaways [2:53] Professionally, what scares Jan is getting a call from a client who is upset. Even if their displeasure is due to a misunderstanding, it’s still jarring. [7:24] When you are clear about your values and what’s important to you, life gets simpler and it’s easier to say “yes” and “no” to opportunities that come up. [7:48] Jim’s professional fear is an economic crash and crisis that leads to people making knee jerk reactions based on fear, pressure, and reactiveness. His personal fear is a health crisis. [10:17] Most of the great business growth happens during recessions, and Jim and Jan explain why. Strategically, it is a great time to grow and continue adding value  if you are running your business properly. [13:25] Research shows that we get out of bad things after 3 months. Practicing gratitude and appreciation now for what you do have is great way to acknowledge what others around you may have lost. [15:34] Instead of asking your family or co-workers the traditional, “How was your day?” question, try a prompt that breeds more dialogue such as “What made you laugh the hardest?” or “Who was awesome?” [20:17] Public speaking and conveying your message is an important part of leadership. Your words matter, and how you say them matter. The more you put yourself out there, the more you get comfortable with the with discomfort. [22:03] Leaders delegate. Having a team you trust is a key piece to feeling secure enough to let go of some control. [24:04] Managing difficult conversations and difficult personalities is often a multi layered approach.  It’s important for leaders to hold up a mirror for others to recognize their own behavior, and realize when it’s detrimental. It’s also crucial for leaders to give people the tools to better themselves. [30:17] Once you accept the fact that you aren’t alone of feeling nervous or uncomfortable at a networking event or work mixer. Get out there, and say hi to someone who looks like they could use a friendly chit chat.   Quotes “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” “It doesn’t matter what your intentions are, it matters how you perform.” “When we have competing values, it makes forward progress challenging and decision making difficult.” “Never shy away from being an embedded influence.”   by Kim Scott   Instagram: Facebook: Twitter:   Thank you to our sponsor: - use code WESTUDYLEADERS for 20% discount