3 ways to overcome your fear of judgment!

Dear Leaders,

Hello and welcome back to my LinkedIn newsletter!

Welcome back to another edition of ‘The CXO Mindset’ where we delve into pressing topics that matter to your growth as a senior leader. Today's topic is one that I'm sure resonates with many of us: the Fear of Judgment. Whether you're giving a presentation at work, stepping into a new role, or even engaging in your meetings, the worry about what others think can be paralyzing.

But what if I told you that this fear doesn't have to hold you back? This week, we're unpacking 3 actionable strategies to help you deal with your fear of judgment.  

Happy Reading!

3 ways to overcome your fear of judgment!

Recently in my coaching experience, many of my CXO clients have been talking about the fear of judgment. The fear of judgment is an innate human emotion. We all face it from time to time. Leaders want to prove their worth and they fear that one wrong move can label them as incompetent and irresponsible. They can have this fear about a lot of things – about saying too much, saying too little, doing things in a certain way, approaching someone, not approaching someone etc.

They can become too conscious and may hold themselves and their teams back if they cannot overcome this fear. In leadership roles, this fear can hinder decision-making, stifle creativity, and lead to a lack of genuine communication. As CXOs, addressing this fear can lead to more resilient teams, efficient operations, and better organizational results. Here are a few ways to combat the fear of judgment at work-

1)      Be vulnerable: You are not supposed to be an oracle! As a leader you use your judgment to make certain decisions and choose a forward path for your organization. When you realize you made a mistake, admit it. Seek support from your colleagues, your team, and your network to get out of the situation. Not knowing is not a crime! Failing is also not a crime. Being stubborn and trying to prove you were right is wrong. Trying to hide your failure will be wrong. Remember that as leaders, you may be the first one ever to try a new path. You are pioneers! You discover new ways to succeed. You cannot do all of this without stumbling some of the times. Steve Jobs once said, "Sometimes when you innovate, you make mistakes. It is best to admit them quickly and get on with improving your other innovations."

2)      Focus on Values and Mission: Am I making the right decision? Will it be controversial? What will everyone say? Do not let the fear of judgment hold you back from doing the right thing! A leader in one of my previous organizations once told me, “Do the right thing, with full conviction and with full velocity.” I asked him, how do I know if I am doing the right thing? He asked me to evaluate the decision in the light of the mission and values of the organization. He said, “When facing a tough decision, remind your team of our shared purpose, our mission and our values.”

3)      Avoid Comparing: You are unique. You must realize this and stay true to yourself! Do not try to fill the shoes of your predecessor. They took their own time to create the impact they created. They used their style and judgment. You must use yours! Different does not mean wrong. Comparisons with previous leaders, or other leaders in similar roles should not a be judgment on you. If you must compare, then I suggest you compare yourself with your own past self. Always keep a look at how you are doing compared to before. Every day you must strive to learn and improve. You must strive to leave the place better than you found it! Keep moving! You will leave your own legacy behind.

CXOs need not be infallible, but they must believe in themselves and be fearless to lead their teams and organizations to success in this complex and ever-changing business environment. Do not let your fears hold your progress.

Thank you for reading this instalment of the newsletter. I welcome the ideas and topics that you would like to see in future editions of the newsletter. You can send me a message here on LI or write to me at manbir@manbirkaur.com . 

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Wish you good health, happiness, and success always,

Manbir

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