Fear of Heights vs. Fear of Depths: Lessons from the Grand Canyon

On a recent trip to the Grand Canyon with my family, I found myself lost in thought as I stood on the edge of one of the most breathtaking places on Earth. It occurred to me that fear, in many ways, comes down to perspective. Some people fear heights—that sense of vulnerability and the pull of gravity when you are way up high. Others fear depths—an overwhelming awareness of the vast, unknown spaces below. As I stood there, I could not help but see a connection between these fears and the challenges we face in the workplace.

Fear of heights and fear of depths are, at their core, about how we view our position relative to risk and uncertainty. Looking down from the edge of the canyon, the thought of falling can be terrifying. But imagine being at the bottom, staring up at the sheer walls towering above you. That too can feel overwhelming.

In business, these fears show up all the time. The fear of heights might look like the anxiety of stepping into a new role, tackling a high-visibility project, or making bold decisions. It is the voice in your head asking, What if I fail? What if I cannot handle the pressure? On the other hand, fear of depths is what we feel when we are already in a difficult situation. Instead of worrying about falling, we are focused on climbing out. This fear whispers, What if I cannot recover? What if the weight of this is too much?

The Workplace Parallel

Standing on the edge—or at the bottom—can feel equally daunting. Here is how these fears tend to play out at work:

Fear of Heights (Success Anxiety):

? People hesitate to take on leadership roles, worried about the added responsibility and visibility.

? Teams might shy away from ambitious goals, fearing the fallout if they fail.

? Organizations often delay bold moves, paralyzed by the risk of innovation.

Fear of Depths (Failure Anxiety):

? Employees may feel stuck or overwhelmed when a project goes off track, doubting their ability to recover.

? Teams can become discouraged, caught in cycles of problems they cannot seem to solve.

? Organizations may avoid tackling deep-seated issues because it feels too risky to expose what is underneath.

Changing the View

The lesson I took from staring into the Grand Canyon is this: Fear, whether of heights or depths, comes from the same source—uncertainty about what comes next. The key to overcoming it is shifting your perspective.

Step Back for Perspective: Whether you are looking down from the edge or up from the bottom, taking a step back (figuratively or literally) can help you see the bigger picture. Sometimes the scale of a problem is not as overwhelming when viewed in context.

Focus on the Next Step: It is easy to get paralyzed by the enormity of the challenge ahead. But when you break it into smaller steps, the fear starts to fade, and progress becomes possible.

Appreciate the View: Whether you are climbing up or looking down, each position offers its own perspective. In business, this means seeing every challenge—whether rising to new heights or climbing out of the depths—as a chance to grow and learn.

Lessons from the Canyon

Fear and opportunity are often two sides of the same coin. What I realized as I stood there, staring into that vast expanse, is that the key is not avoiding fear—it is learning to let it guide you. Fear can motivate you to prepare better, think more clearly, and push harder.

So, what about you? Have you ever faced a “fear of heights” or “fear of depths” in your career? How did you find your way through it? I would love to hear your thoughts.