Fear Factor

by Beth Houf

Fear.

Four letters that can completely crush an individual. A team. An organization.

Leading by fear, through fear, based on fear or from a place of fear can have very similar results. 

How do we ensure that fear doesn’t hold us back as leaders and damage relationships with those we serve? Here are a few tips to helping us work past the Fear Factor so that we can make school amazing for students and staff:

1. Lead with YES. This can mean {Yes, if} or {Yes, when} or {Yes, tell me more}, but we have to quit using no as our go-to response.  We completely diminish trust which in turn damages relationships.
2. Make decisions with your BEST people in mind. We have all been there. Mandates made because of the worst thing that can happen or poor employee behaviors. Take time to address those behaviors individually. Your best people are more likely to continue to go above and beyond when they feel appreciated.
3. Become a roadblock remover. My go-to questions when brainstorming ideas with others are, “What roadblocks might we face?” and “How can we overcome those roadblocks?” Then as a leader, help to get those roadblocks out of the way.
4. Slow down. Such a simplistic idea, but yet not always common practice. Smile. Ask people how they are doing. Take a personal interest in those you serve. Rapport matters!
5. Tone check. Often times it’s not really what you say, but rather, how you say it. Sarcasm is a slippery slope. Find a trusted colleague and get some feedback and adjust as needed.
6. Body language matters! This is one I really have to be intentional with because my facial expressions aren’t always easy to control. Are you causing fear just because of your mannerisms? 
7. Make your own social-emotional learning a priority. Recognize your triggers of anger. Find your own tools of self-regulation. You can’t be your best you when you are run down, over-stressed and unhealthy. Self-care is in no way selfish.
8. And finally, don’t let fear hold you back. You don’t have to wait until things are perfect to take action. You also don’t have to do it all alone. We are better together for sure!

Share your favorite tips for overcoming the fear factor in leadership to our hashtag #LeadLAP. Shelley and I look forward to connecting! You can also join us each Saturday morning from 9:30-10 am CST on our weekly #LeadLAP Twitter chat! Have an amazing week and keep making school an amazing place!