How to Overcome Fear of Failure and Embrace Your Power for Career Success

As a female leader and the first in my family to achieve many firsts, the fear of failure has often kept me playing small.

The inner critic whispers, "Do I belong here?" "Do I know what I'm doing?" and "Am I enough?" These doubts can be paralyzing, but as leaders, embracing our fears and moving beyond them is essential for growth and empowerment.

During my recent break, I reflected on the vast source of our fears, but part of our fear of failure comes from not basking in our wins, celebrating how far we’ve come, and acknowledging what it took to win because we rushed off to the next thing. When we do this, take time to acknowledge our achievements and wins; those successes are not appropriately attributed. We start to believe they come from luck or something beyond our control, which undermines our confidence.

Attributing Success Appropriately

For instance, after I successfully developed a career development program for an audience I had never worked with before, I barely took a moment to appreciate the accomplishment. Instead, I quickly moved on to the next challenge. It wasn't until after leaving the company that I realized I hadn't truly acknowledged the hard work, strategic thinking, and leadership it took to achieve that success. By not taking the time to celebrate, I downplayed my role in the achievement, attributing it to luck or external factors rather than my skills and efforts.

The Source of Fear

Through my personal and professional development, I realized that we need to disempower the systems, the source of our fear, that create these limiting beliefs and hold us back. These systems often reinforce the idea that we need to be perfect to be worthy.

Embracing Your Power

It's also about embracing the things we don’t do as well and not fixating on them. We are masterpieces in progress, living at the intersection of power (what you are capable of making happen) and vulnerability. I’ve faced the fear of failure many times in my journey. Whether stepping into a new role, launching a new initiative, or making tough decisions, the fear was there. But I've learned that fear doesn't disappear. It's about recognizing this, building skills that bolster your confidence, and cultivating the courage to do it anyway.

Strategies For Overcoming Fear

Here are some strategies that have helped me and can help you too:

✅ Acknowledge your fear: Recognize that fear of failure is a natural part of growth. Everyone experiences it, and it doesn’t define your abilities or potential.

✅ Reframe failure as learning: Shift your perspective from seeing failure as a negative outcome to viewing it as a valuable learning opportunity. Each setback provides insights that lead to future success.

✅ Set realistic goals: Break down large goals into smaller, manageable steps. This reduces the pressure of achieving perfection and allows for incremental progress.

Empowerment Through Action

✅ Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with mentors, peers, and supporters who can offer guidance, encouragement, and constructive feedback.

✅ Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. This builds confidence and reminds you of your progress.

Lynn’s Random Corner: Reflective Insights Today, I share a quote that has guided me through many challenges: "Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it."

Let this be a reminder that our true power lies not in never fearing but in facing our fears with courage and resilience.

What’s a fear of failure you’ve overcome in your leadership journey? How did it help you grow?

#Leadership #GrowthMindset #WomenInLeadership

👋 Hello, I'm Lynn, Your Guide to a Fulfilling Career Journey.

I believe success comes from doing the work you LOVE. As a career and leadership coach, I empower high-achievers and mid-career professionals to tune out the noise and tune into themselves. This allows them to gain the clarity and confidence to be who they are, show up authentically, and find the courage to create a life designed by them and for them.

With a career spanning over 20 years, Lynn has honed her expertise by guiding individuals across the spectrum, from emerging leaders to seasoned executives.

Many organizations struggle to provide clear career paths for growth and development. By the time Lynn leaves your organization, you will have a robust model that empowers all staff to create their own pathways and develop their skills. This will ensure they are actively engaged in your mission, leading to improved productivity, performance, and profitability.

Companies hire me to revitalize their workforce, creating an employee-centered career model that transforms unfulfilled employees into engaged, skilled leaders who drive the company's mission and success. Schedule a consultation with Lynn today and embark on a journey that empowers your workforce, revitalizes their career trajectories, and ensures lasting success.