Leading is less of a science and more of a practice. Sure, there are the basics of leadership. The fundamentals. The things you need to know.
Then there are the trials and challenges of leadership. These are the pieces of leadership that truly test your ability to lead.
Photo by M.T ElGassier on Unsplash
When facing the trials of leadership, you may become scared.
What do you do when you find yourself in a place of fear? In a place where you don’t know what to do?
Don’t freak out. Don’t miss your opportunity.
When you’re scared, this is the time to take advantage of it.
Let’s take a look at 4 things you can do when you’re scared as a leader.
When You’re Scared…
1. Take a deep breath:
Being scared puts you on edge. You can be tempted to act impulsively. Don’t do this.
Acting impulsively rarely leads to the outcome you desire. Instead, acting impulsively leads to the end of leaders.
Take a deep breath when you become scared. Let your body relax. Take a look around.
By taking a breath, you will see things aren’t as dire as they appear. You have time to react and respond.
2. Seek wise counsel:
Proverbs 11:14 tells leaders – Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is victory.
Seeking counsel isn’t a sign of weakness. It isn’t a sign of fear. Seeking counsel is a sign of wisdom.
When you’re scared, go to those who are wiser than you. They’ve been on this road. They’ve beaten the fear.
Let a wise counsel soothe your worry.
3. Remind yourself of what has come before:
In the moment of fear, you forget something important. You forget that you’ve been scared before while leading.
We easily go to the worst-case scenario and think there’s no way out.
Truth be told, you’ve been in scary situations before. You’ve beaten those situations.
Why would today be any different?
Remind yourself that you’ve been scared before. Remind yourself you will overcome.
4. Go to the One who knows it all:
While this should be the first thing you do when you’re scared, many leaders wait until they’ve done all they can. That’s why I left this one until the last suggestion.
There is One who is greater than all of us. He is the alpha and omega. He has been there since the beginning.
When you’re scared, go to God. Share with Him your struggle. Let Him know what you’re thinking.
He already knows but He’s waiting for you to approach Him. Do this and unburden your worries.
You will be amazed at how freeing this can be. How the weight of fear can be gone.
Go to God when you’re scared.
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