What are you afraid of?

That question came up during a recent interview, and it stuck with me for days. But I wasn’t thinking about my answer—I was thinking about fear itself.

Of course, I Googled it. Then, I asked all the flavors of generative AI what they thought. No surprises in the definitions:

Fear is a response to a threat. A reaction. A physiological response wired into us for survival.

During the interview, I answered honestly: I’m afraid of being eaten by a bear while hiking. After 20 years in Philadelphia, living in the Pacific Northwest makes that a real concern. I don’t want to be that person on the evening news. I’m not prepared for big hikes in the wilderness on my own. But at least I know that! And I could prepare if I chose to. If I did, I bet that fear would shrink.

What does this have to do with innovation?

Everything.

The Biggest Innovation Killer

Imagined threats are the biggest inhibitors of innovation.

• What if my idea is stupid?
• What if my boss won’t support me?
• What if it fails?
• What if it costs too much?
• What if someone already thought of it?
• Who the hell am I to do this?

And it’s not just self-doubt. The people around an innovator have their own imagined threats:

• That won’t work; it’s a waste of money.
• We tried that before; it’s a waste of time.
• We don’t have the budget.
• Our customers don’t care about that.
• Who do you think you are?

But here’s the thing: none of these thoughts ran through my head during that interview. Because I don’t fear them. I expect those reactions—both from myself and from others—but they don’t stop me or even slow me down.

I spend more energy worrying about bears than I do about innovating.

Why?

Because I’ve practiced innovation. Enough that fear turned into confidence. Enough that I know how to manage the risks. Innovation is a skill. The more you do it, the better you get—not just at the outcomes but at being fearless when others hesitate.

All Start at the Bottom

I’ve found this to be true in many areas of life.

I started traveling abroad when I was young, thanks to my Croatian grandparents and my very trusting mom. As a result, I have no fear of navigating new places. My mindset? “Everywhere is just someone else’s backyard.”

Trying something new—whether it’s a hobby, a sport, or a skill—reminds me of a rule from my old dojo: All start at the bottom. Sensei had us say (shout) it at the start of every class. A reminder that even he and the other black belts were once white belts. (It’s also worth noting that that rule was paired with “Everyone works. Nothing is free.” Rules I live by.)

Fear shrinks when experience grows.

What Feels Like a Cliff Is Probably a Curb

More recently, I remember talking to my friend, author, and fellow innovator Larry Robertson about leaving Microsoft. Working there is a bit like winning the lottery—especially when it wasn’t a realistic destination at the start of your career. Golden handcuffs? Maybe. But the truth is, the benefits—beyond the paycheck—are unmatched.

I worried about making the leap. Larry reminded me:

“What feels like a cliff is probably a curb.”

It stuck with me. And it applies to innovation, too.

To innovate, you need a grand vision—a distant horizon. Without that, all you get are incremental improvements. But humans aren’t wired to leap; we’re not natural cliff jumpers.

That’s why the stepping stones matter. Define them. Design them. Meet people where they are and build them a path toward your horizon. That’s how you turn cliffs into curbs in innovation.

The Bear of Innovation

These are some of the lessons we share in The Insider's Guide to Innovation at Microsoft , along with tools to put them into practice. Knowing what to do—and practicing it—shrinks the fear.

Because the real threat to innovation isn’t failure.

It’s hesitation.

So, what are you afraid of?