Leading, In the Face of Fear

In the martial arts classic, Karate Kid, Daniel LaRuso found himself the subject of a group of bullies, who used the martial arts as a tool of intimidation and control. A mild-mannered handyman took young Daniel-San under his tutelage and began to build his confidence. After sanding floors, painting the fence, and waxing the cars, Daniel had developed the muscle memory, and the strength, to defend himself.

Daniel has spent much of the movie running from his problem, Cobra-Kai. But he quickly learned that running away only compounds the problem, it doesn't resolve it. Mr. Miagi inspired Daniel-San to realize there was a problem before him that only he could solve - and to run TOWARD the problem, CONFRONT it, and CONQUER it.

The tension builds as Daniel fights his way through the tournament to face his chief adversary. After an illegal blow, an injured Daniel-San returns to the ring, assumes the classic Crain stance, and wins the bout with a jumping front kick. He left the ring a winner, and even his adversaries had a new-found respect for this young warrior.

As a young boy, I was afraid of the water. We tried swimming lessons a couple of times, but I was so skinny as a kid I had negative buoyancy...I floated about 8-12" under the water. Because I could not float, I was terrified anytime I got into a body of water that was deeper than I was tall. Fear of water kept me from enjoying a number of water sports with my friends for several years.

Fear is a part of the human experience. At some point, we will all face fear. In Carly Fiorina's new book, Find Your Way she says, "To be human is to be afraid. Fearlessness is a myth." As a leader, we lead. That means at times we travel an uncharted trail, going where others have not yet gone. Whether we want to admit it or not, we all face (to some degree) the fear of the unknown if we are leading others. Those who follow are fearful of the unknown as well.

Will we fail? Will we have what we need to succeed? Is this task or opportunity before us something we can truly achieve? Does this leader really have what it takes to lead us? What will others think of us (or say about us) if we don't make it; if we don't succeed? These are among the very real questions those who are following are thinking, and perhaps discussing among themselves. As a leader, you've got to help them work through the fear that is before them and help them gain power over it.

Fear left unchecked will paralyze you, and those you lead.

Carly Fiorina goes on to say, "My firm belief is that fear has two possible destinies. The good news is that you and I get to choose which one plays out. Either fear with control us, consume us and contain us, or we will control and contain it. Both cannot be true simultaneously, and only one of those outcomes serves us well. Either we lend power to fear - and stay locked up, shaky, afraid - or we lend power to courage, and thereby find the ability to thrive."

It wasn't until I ran toward my fear of water that I conquered it. My dad took me to a swimming pool and I stood at the edge of the diving board. I jumped toward the ladder at the side of the pool and splashed and thrashed my way until I got there. I climbed out and repeated, jumping farther away from the ladder each time. Within a span of 30 minutes, I was swimming, sort of, in deep water.

Until I ran TOWARD my problem, CONFRONTED it, and CONQUERED it did I find that the fear of water no longer had power over me. As leaders, we have to recognize when fear is present, candidly point it out, and call on those who are following to join you as you run toward the problem, confront it, and (together) conquer it.

There is no such thing as a fearless leader. Black Belt Leaders in Life lead, in spite of fear.

Facing your fear can be challenging, scary at times. Fear often manifests itself through negative emotions and feelings. Those are normal, and it's important you address this with your followers. As you make progress toward your goal, the "little wins" along the way build confidence - replacing negative emotions and feelings with positive ones.

Mark Twain once said, "Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence from fear."

As a former martial arts school owner, I saw fear manifest itself many times in the lives of our students. The first time they put on sparring gear, were asked to break a board; faced multiple opponents in a reality-based attack situation, or as they faced their first testing for rank advancement. As an instructor, a leader, it was my role to help them face their fear, and overcome it. Every success bred confidence that not only made that student a better martial artist but a better person in the process.

There is no such thing as a fearless leader. Black Belt Leaders in Life lead, in spite of fear.

Leaders see problems as opportunities - and train those who are following to do likewise. There is fear inherent in facing any problem or circumstance before you. It is a measure of your leadership ability (and your potential) to those who are following as they observe how you view (and respond to) the problems facing you and your Team.

Carly Fiorina echoes this sentiment in Find Your Way: "The path to your fullest potential (as a leader) is paved with problems, problems you are intended to solve. But to solve those problems, you must work to change the order of things. To change the order of things, you must take action - bold, decisive action. After all, things don't get changed on their own."

There is no such thing as a fearless leader. Black Belt Leaders in Life lead, in spite of fear.

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2X martial arts Hall of Fame inductee, John Terry (The Black Belt Leader) is a motivational speaker, leadership, sales & communication coach and trainer.   

Through his coaching and training company, IMGA.com, John (and his daughter, Jessie) seeks to INSPIRE others to see their limitless potential, MOTIVATE them to pursue black belt excellence as a leader in life, GROW personally and professionally and ACHIEVE greatness through living a life of significance.  

For more information, schedule John (or Jessie) to speak to your organization or to book a personal, group or corporate coaching session, visit www.IMGA.com.  

If you are a faith-based organization, learn more about John and Jessie's outreach to churches, para-church organizations or faith-based volunteer groups by visiting www.DunamisFactor.com.

John is an Executive Director with the John Maxwell Team and is passionate about helping others pursue excellence as they become "Leaders in Life". He is also a Master Coach & Trainer with Real Life Management, a behavioral analytics organization helping people learn how to live "Real Life" and make better choices when it comes to relationships, money, health, and wellness.

Jessie is a Certified Speaker, Coach, and Trainer with the John Maxwell Team. By the age of 18, Jessie has traveled to Guatemala and Cameroon, Africa to challenge and inspire young people to believe in themselves, and (regardless of age) to pursue with passion the dream within them. She is actively involved in the JMT Global Youth Initiative. Jessie was the youngest JMT member to ever speak on the Big Stage at the International Maxwell Certification conference in Orlando, FL in February 2018. She is also a Real-Life Management trained coach.

Jessie's first children's book, Ebenezer's Journal, is available on Amazon.com.

Join Ebenezer as he uses the power of imagination to transform Dr. Lime's School of Normal Monsters into something amazing. See AWARENESS on display as Ebenezer awakens the dreams of his fellow students to transform his school and his community.

A fun read that can start young children on their own personal leadership growth journey. Buy a copy for yourself, and a copy to share with someone else.

?Click HERE to order.