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While it’s necessary to be confident in order to run a successful business, that doesn’t mean business leaders never have feelings of self-doubt or fear. Operations may be running smoothly one day and hit a major roadblock the next. An investor could turn down your pitch, or sales could suddenly take a turn for the worse. Any of these moments would naturally cause leaders to feel anxious about their abilities, but the best leaders know how to overcome those feelings and forge ahead.
At times, the business leaders of Rolling Stone Culture Council have had their own doubts and fears to contend with. Here, they share how they tackled these feelings head on and how they became better leaders for having done so.
Turn Lemons Into Lemonade
I remember it like it was yesterday: Two companies on Wall Street never paid me, and I was strapped for cash, which amped up my fear and self-doubt. But, I turned lemons into lemonade. I created a new website, pushed out more blogs and content and got busy networking. Those two companies needed me — it was just that they never paid me. I put it behind me and, in no time, I was back on top of my game. – Paul Fitzgerald, Salt & Pepper Media Inc.
Peel Back the Onion
In our industry, technical difficulties on stage are bound to happen, regardless of how well the sound check or preparation went. Instead of panicking, assessing one piece of the puzzle at a time and “peeling the onion” to get to the source of the issue will slowly but surely get you to the solution. – Kice Akkawi, Treblemonsters
Put Yourself and Your Vision First
In the beginning, there was always a tinge of self-doubt, particularly when I was trying to convey my ideas to people outside of the marketing world. But, when I put myself and my vision first, it helped me service others better. Being concise in expressing my needs to my team, colleagues or clients without hesitation made me stronger and more confident when talking about strategy. – Cynthia Johnson, Bell + Ivy
Understand That You’ve Done Your Best
Stepping into the courtroom, particularly before a crucial verdict, can cause fear and anxiety. Still, I realize that it is also rooted in eagerness and the drive to help my clients, so I remind myself not to worry about the things I can’t control. Focusing on being at peace with having done your best helps to deter self-doubt. – Andy Hale, Hale & Monico
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Let Resilience and Determination Guide You
Facing the daunting decision to resign from a great job and utilize my 401(k) with two young kids at home was a pivotal moment of fear. However, that fear was juxtaposed with a powerful drive to get to work upon walking into the business that first day as the new owner. With each success and challenge tackled, I realized fear might persist, but resilience and determination become the guiding forces. – Rhett Power, Accountability Inc.
Give Yourself a ‘Think Day’
When I faced a pivotal company decision, the weight of its impact consumed me. So, I set a dedicated “think day,” free from distractions. Listing pros and cons and analyzing scenarios with team input and data clarified my path, driving us forward successfully. – Arvin Khamseh, SOLDOUT NFTs
Seek a Solution Through Journaling
I feel this at times when my business’s revenue starts to go down. During these times, we as leaders have two options: We can either run from our problems or run toward a solution. I know if I run from my problems, it will affect the work culture inside of my business and everyone will be worried and feel fear and self-doubt. Journaling every day helps me break problems down in such a way that I can manage everything. – Christian Anderson (Trust’N), Lost Boy Entertainment LLC
Rely on the Guidance of Your Team
In my role as a business leader, instances of fear and self-doubt have been inevitable, especially when I’ve been confronted with significant decisions or have had to navigate uncertain situations. So now, I rely on my colleagues to help guide me through the experience or issue. – Kristin Marquet, Marquet Media, LLC
Focus on Data and Past Successes
When you’re a leader, there will be times when you will face self-doubt and your confidence will waiver. When I was faced with these moments, I sought advice from trusted mentors, focused on data and reminded myself of past successes. This built confidence and led to a successful outcome. – Sheila Dedenbach, Heavenly Sweet
