The clock is ticking, 4-3-2-1 ….. the shot goes up. It comes down. BONK! Off the front of the rim. Game over. Loss.
Fear leads us to pull up short on the big shot. Fear causes the choke.
People resist change. Deep in our reptile brains, change evokes fear. Fears hold us back. If we know what our fears are, we can speak to them. Speak to them rationally, logically and calmly and we gain perspective – Fears shrink. Their hold on the throat is loosened. We can overcome them. First, we need to uncover those underlying fears and contradictions.
In the face of change efforts – major projects, reorganizations, business process change- ask people what they’re afraid of happening – failures and success (We tend to be chicken with both). Seth Godin gives great perspective on checking into people’s fears.
Try this. It works for Senior Leadership, Managers, or Individual Contributors. Hand out 8 index cards. Each person completes 4 for their biggest fears around possible negative outcomes (i.e.- failures) and 4 for their biggest fears surrounding the changes that success will bring. Collect the cards. Discuss.
Find out what fears are clutching throats. What’s making people feel a little chicken. The fears will hold them back. They will pull up short.
Coach your team to victory. Lead them to deliver. Identify the concerns and fears that may hold them back. Speak to them. The grip will lighten. People will be freed to follow-through. They will hit the big shot.
Swish. Game over. Win.
