Fear is an inevitable part of life. Whether it’s a fear of spiders, heights, or public speaking, we all feel afraid from time to time. Entrepreneurs know this feeling well, as fear often seems like a near-constant presence when running a business. Whether it’s fear of failure, fear of unexpected circumstances, or navigating growth, there is always something to fear as a leader.

Since fear has the potential to be ever-present in the entrepreneurial journey, being able to overcome it is crucial. Let me share with you an experience that forever altered my relationship with fear. We will also examine how fear hinders you and tactics to confront the situation head-on.

Remember, fear is relative

Since there are so many things that can induce fear, it is essential to know what is worth fearing. One fateful night early in my career taught me this skill and the role of fear in a crisis scenario.

When he was a young entrepreneur, he ran a restaurant called Calico Kitchen in a busy shopping center. One night, as we were about to close, a man came in and asked to speak to the manager. As I approached, he quickly pulled a sawed-off shotgun from his sleeve, pointed the gun at my head, and demanded that I get on the ground.

In an armed robbery situation like this, anyone would have reason to be terrified, but at that moment my fear did not overcome me. I was more concerned about those around me than my own safety. He knew that getting hurt was the worst thing that could happen. I handed over the money and the brazen thief left my staff, clients and me unharmed.

That night changed the way I thought about fear and decision-making in times of crisis. As a result of the immediate and life-threatening nature of that event, any situation I face as a leader is not as terrifying as having a gun pointed at my head.

Theft has helped me keep the challenges of running a business in perspective in the decades since. Whatever challenge I face, I know I will get through it with my life. The same can probably be said for your business as well.

Fear is a terrible advisor

When you are in a state of fight, flight or freeze, your mind is not thinking about the best solution. He’s just trying to figure out how to get there you get out of there, alive, as quickly as possible. When you are focused internally, your ability to see the big picture becomes obscured.

Your fear does not consider anyone else or weigh circumstances objectively. The decisions you make when you are terrified will never be the best and certainly not the best for everyone involved.

With this in mind, it’s fair to say that fear is a wasted emotion. It only uses your energy and prevents you from finding the solution. Of course, you will never be completely free of fear and worry, but as a leader, you must learn to overcome them to find the best path forward.

If I had let fear consume me the night of the robbery, I may not have made decisions that kept others safe and the situation could have escalated to the point of tragedy. Being able to think critically in a moment of crisis allowed me to consider the entire situation and find the best way forward for everyone involved.

If you feel fear taking over, try moving directly toward the solution instead of dwelling in the anxiety of the challenge at hand.

Look at the needs of others to overcome fear

Fear focuses your attention on what could happen to you personally, severely limiting your perspective. However, when you consider the needs of others and prioritize what is best for them, you can see the broader scope of what needs to be done.

Alleviating fear to make the right decision requires a sense of responsibility for what happens to others. A good leader must be more sensitive and aware of his environment and other people than of the personal consequences of his actions.

I have built my business around what is best for other people and the success of the company. I don’t make decisions based solely on my emotions because that wouldn’t result in the best solution for everyone involved. When fear takes over, stay grounded in solution-focused thought processes and focus on what others need from you.

Fear will always be part of the journey, but when you prioritize the well-being of those around you and focus on finding solutions rather than obsessing over anxieties, you will emerge stronger and more capable.

Accept fear as a reminder to keep things in perspective and focus on the needs of others, and you’ll be better equipped to handle whatever comes next.