Earlier this year I gave a talk to a large group of employees in West Jutland. The next day their CEO called and we chatted for a bit. I soon realised why he was really calling: he had to give his annual speech at their summer party, he had stage fright, and he was letting the fear stop him. My advice to him was: “Feel the fear — and then do it anyway.”
“Tell me what happens to you as you get near the stage?” I asked him. “It’s the same thing every time,” he said, and went on: “My hands go completely sweaty, my stomach turns over, my throat tightens up — and then I know I’m about to fall apart!” His quick breathing was now more audible as he fell silent. “What happens to you when you speak to several hundred people?” he asked expectantly.
“I’ve given over 1,000 talks, and for me the same thing happens every time,” I said, and went on: “As I get near the podium and the microphone is in my hand, my hands go completely sweaty, my stomach starts to turn over, my throat tightens up — and then I know I’m ready!”
He was completely confused and asked: “Sorry, what was that last bit you said?” I couldn’t help laughing, and said to him:
“Your body is reacting completely normally to the performance ahead of you. Don’t read it as a sign that you’re about to fall apart — read it as a signal that you’re getting ready. I’d only be really nervous if one day I walked on stage without sweaty hands!”
When I started my business, I told my mum I was looking forward to the day when things would really get rolling, so my worries would disappear. My mum replied drily: “Just wait until you have children!”
As human beings, we all have access to the same feelings. There will always be fear, grief and anger in life, just as there will be joy, excitement and passion. Whether your role models are the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, Bill Gates or Richard Branson, I can guarantee you they feel just as much fear, doubt, joy and excitement as everyone else.
So the difference lies not in the feeling you have, but in how you choose to react to it.
Some people, and some companies, feel fear and become totally paralysed. Others feel the fear and do it anyway.
Great leaders feel the fear, but do it anyway. They’re not fearless — they’re brave. Don’t blame yourself for having the wrong feelings — instead, work on finding the courage to take action despite fear, doubt and worries, and you’ll get just as far as your role models.
/Martin
– Thank goodness it’s almost Monday!
– Thank goodness it’s almost Monday!
