Three Ways the Fear of Failure is Making You an Ineffective Leader
The fear of failure doesn’t have to be a mystery
Many women who are in leadership positions may hesitate to share this with other people, but the fear of failure and self-doubt is something they have experienced. The truth is these are normal feelings. However, there are three examples of how the fear of failure can get in the way of being a confident leader even when you’re fully capable. When you understanding how fear is getting in the way of your development, then you can begin to create a plan to conquer it.
1. The fear of failure can undermine your decision making
Are you struggling with any of these issues: constantly second-guessing yourself? Having a hard time assessing situations and coming up with a clear plan? Overthinking problems and easily becoming confused about how to move forward? These are all examples of how fear can get in the way of you trusting yourself to be decisive and solve problems before they become bigger ones. It’s helpful to get feedback and to gather information but not to let fear cause you to stall. You’ll want to understand your leadership archetype and find the style that will allow you to be an effective and assertive leader who is able to take in relevant information, make an assessment of the problem, develop a plan, and put it into action.
2. Being afraid to fail makes you doubt your own abilities
If you’re a woman who is already in a leadership role or you want to advance in your career the fear of failing can cause you to doubt your ability to handle complex situations. Being able to manage workplace conflicts and navigate competing priorities are two key leadership qualities. If you doubt your own ability to manage these situations, other people won’t feel confident about you as a leader either. An effective leader knows their strengths, not just their weakness. I use confidence-building exercises, when I coach women in leadership positions, to help them recognize their unique talents and skills and reinforce the way they see themselves as a leader.
3. The fear of failure can make you silent
Failing is a natural part of anything we take on in life. But when women are afraid to fail, or seen as a failure, they may be less likely to ask for help. The result is that they don’t get the support that they need, in order to be successful. Women should not have to sit in silence thinking about what they “should” and “could” be doing. In this case, the fear of failing is causing them to avoid taking action that may also include asking for help. Being a leader does not mean having to do everything alone. An effective leader recognizes they can learn from others. They know that developing leadership skills takes time. They also are open to supporting other women when they have the chance and build meaningful and genuine connections.
Imposter syndrome vs. being afraid to fail
The fear of failing is different than imposter syndrome. A woman experiencing imposter syndrome is fearful that she’s a fraud and she doubts her own success. However, being afraid to fail can result in a woman not taking action in order to avoid possible undesirable outcomes. One common feature of both issues is the negative internal messages that reinforce a woman’s self-doubt. Imposter syndrome and the fear of failure can both contribute to a woman being unable to see herself as being the capable person other people see her as. Both issues can also cause women to hold back from taking on leadership roles or from feeling empowered as a leader.
You can overcome your fears
Fear and self-doubts are normal. Sometimes they help to keep you safe or from making impulsive choices. However, you’re finding that your fears are getting in the way of you taking action, causing you to doubt your abilities, or keeping you silent, it doesn’t have to be that way. You can become an effective leader by challenging your fears and moving forward towards your goals. If you want help to face your fears in order to advance in your career and build your confidence click here to sign up for a free 30-minute consultation and learn more about how executive coaching services can support you.
