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Every day, and every new opportunity or change in direction, we must choose faith over fear. What does this really mean, and how do we put this into real action or something truly tangible?

Fear is what causes us leaders to question our bosses, worry about what could happen, or worse, keep us from moving forward with conviction. Having faith isn’t necessarily a religious belief (though it can be) — in business it is a positive sense of self and a positive, strong mindset. Choosing faith is about moving forward with conviction because you believe in yourself and are not worried about the possibility of failure as you know that failing is part of growing, expanding and succeeding.

Note this: It is more than a mindset — it is a choice we have to make every day. It isn’t about not being afraid; it is about taking action despite your fears. As leaders we have all seen that most “bad things” don’t last long. And any “bad thing” that happens from our choices ends up always being a great lesson to apply. At the end, most fears fade with success and most problems get resolved. So it is true when we say, “It will all work out” — as long as we act despite any fears, and we work to achieve our goals and execute our plan.

Keep Your Fear Away From Me

This is crucially important: Don’t allow others to give you their fear. Fear is like negative magnetic energy — it is very contagious and it does not take long to catch it — so avoid it at all costs. Today this can be seen more than ever with the pandemic, politics, and overall work issues — there are a lot of things that can cause us fear if we don’t choose faith.

My Friend, an Example

I have a friend whose company, like so many, is offering early retirement, severance packages and, if need be, layoffs. While many other companies are growing and can’t hire good people fast enough, this friend has a choice to make. And she can fear what might happen, or see this as potential, as a blessing; an opportunity for a monetary package and the ability to take a new step in her next career.

I know this person, and I know that no matter what she chooses, it will be a scary but great choice — as long as she makes that choice by using her faith and not making the choice based on her fear of “what if.”

The one thing I know as a leadership coach, as a leader myself and working with thousands of leaders across this world, is that no matter the country, state, the industry or the profession, there is always a need for talented, committed and passionate people. So, bet on yourself today, be bold and have faith that your hard work and contribution will continue to get you where you need to be.

A Leader’s Faith

What does this mean as a leader and how does it apply?

As leaders our job is to help our employees choose faith over fear by using empathy, not sympathy. This includes coaching our people through decisions, rumors, and new directions.

Several years ago a company I was working for (as a leader of leaders) was going through a company-wide layoff, and my team was distracted with “what if we’re the ones getting laid off?” As I told each employee: the best thing we can do is to stay focused on our job today and know that no matter the decision or direction the organization needs to go, we will be doing what we do best — and most important, what we get paid to do. With more than two decades of working in corporate America I have never seen any of my best employees be let go unless they choose to. And the few that I know who were let go due to massive shutdowns/closures, department eliminations; I have seen them either get another job in the same company or with a new company, and always for the better.

Faith Requires Effort

Just because we choose faith does not mean we can sit around and wait for our success. Faith is about keeping us focused on the work we need to do instead of being distracted and lost. There is no substitute for effort and contribution. The key is to make sure our efforts and energy are focused on the goals and achievements — not on the fear.

Here is your sign: The light is green, hit the gas and go for it. If you sit still and don’t move, or hesitate, or sit with your fear — you are going to get run over! So today, right now, what will you choose?

Final Thought

Many times people want to say, “You can’t lead your life with blind faith.” Well given the choice, I will choose blind faith over fear and worry every single day. My friends and my wife laugh at me because I always say, “Life is good to me and it always works out.” Earlier this year I told my neighbor, friends and family that the real estate market would pick up greatly in February 2020. When asked how I knew this, I told them it was because I was listing my own house in February 2020 and that it would sell within two weeks. I was especially laughed at since my neighbor had had his house on the market for a year, and several homes in my neighborhood had been sitting for four to eight months. Mine sold in 16 days. Now does that mean I was right or that I am just lucky and crazy? It could be the latter, but I love my luck and I depend on my faith to keep me from my fears.

Listen, my life is not perfect; I desire more success, fewer problems. I have four children, from 25 years old to eight years old (and two grandchildren) along with a wife/boss — and every day there is something that goes wrong. Considering my main “job” is to talk (in person) to large crowds, which hasn’t happened since last March — I have plenty that I could fear and much I could blame. And yet, despite all of this, we are having our best year ever; we are pursuing our dreams, building a retreat center and our forever dream home. I don’t know exactly how this will all play out, but I have faith it will all work. And every day I choose faith, I choose a perspective that doesn’t include fear.

MANA welcomes your comments on this article. Write to us at [email protected].