Moving Forward While Afraid: The Real Path to Leadership Confidence
Have you ever noticed how we're taught to wait? Wait until you're ready. Wait until you're confident. Wait until you have it all figured out.
But what if I told you the best leaders do exactly the opposite?
Picture this: A stable job as a professional interpreter. A clear path ahead. Everything looking perfect on paper. But there was this whisper, this persistent tug toward something more. That gentle whisper calling toward something bigger, even though the spotlight made me want to disappear.
Here's something powerful about confidence – it's not a prerequisite for action, it's a result of it. When I quit my job to teach that first sign language class, I wasn't confident. I was terrified.
I did what many of us do when facing a big leap – I sought validation, maybe even hoping for someone to talk me out of it. But instead of the cautionary tales I half-expected, I found support. And that's when the real fear kicked in – because now there were no more excuses.
That first class? Packed full. Each class built a little more confidence. Each success created a little more courage. One class led to another. Then came the deaf ministry. Then a nonprofit. Each step bigger than the last.
But here's where it gets real – growth isn't always comfortable:
• Friends stepped away
• Board members left
• Doubt came rushing in like tidal waves
Want to move forward while afraid? Here's your formula:
1. Choose one thing that scares you but calls you
2. Make it small enough to do this week
3. Set a specific day and time
4. Tell someone who'll hold you accountable
5. Document your progress
6. Celebrate small wins
7. Let each step reveal the next
What if confidence isn't the prerequisite for leadership, but rather the result of leading despite your fear?
Ready to transform your relationship with fear and step into true leadership? Join The Visible Leader™ Workshop – 44 spots remaining for leaders ready to move forward while afraid.
Because the world doesn't need more leaders waiting to feel ready – it needs leaders willing to take action despite their fear.
