When Maya (not my client’s real name) was asked to present the new strategic plan to the board, her stomach tightened. She had five years of wins behind her – but in that moment, doubt took the lead.
What if they questioned her thinking? What if she froze mid-sentence? What if she failed – publicly?
As she prepared for her presentation, the fear she felt wasn’t about slides or speaking. It was about being visible. Accountable. On the hook to deliver.
And yet, that fear held valuable intelligence.
Instead of pushing it down, Maya leaned in. She got curious. What was this fear really pointing to? And what did it need from her as a leader?
Leaders often feel pressure to “push through” fear, to tough it out, or worse – to ignore it. But in leadership, fear ignored is fear amplified. It shows up anyway – masked as indecision, perfectionism, over controlling, or silence. And when fear drives the agenda, we drift – from our values, from our team, from what we’re here to do.
That’s why purpose is more than a buzzword – it’s a leadership imperative.
The Purpose-Centred Fear Response Model is exactly that: purpose. When leaders respond with clarity, intention and strength – fear stops running the show. Purpose doesn’t erase fear. It gives you a place to stand when everything feels uncertain.
Surrounding that anchor are five capacities that help leaders turn fear into forward motion:
🔹 Risk – Reframe the threat. What’s the greater risk – stepping in or staying stuck?
🔹 Effort – Activate will. Fear makes the load heavier. Purpose makes it meaningful.
🔹 Trust – Build the net. Fear shrinks our willingness to rely on others. But real leadership requires trust in self, team, and process.
🔹 Confidence – Remember what you’ve already overcome. Fear says, “You can’t.” Confidence says, “You’ve done hard things before.”
🔹 Resilience – Restore energy. When fear drains you, purpose refuels you. Resilience sustains momentum through ambiguity and setbacks.
Together, these elements shift us from freeze to flow. From reaction to intention.
So, the next time fear shows up – and it will – don’t suppress it. Tune in.
Ask:
If I were led by what matters – not by what I fear – what would I choose to do next?
That’s the shift. That’s deliberate leadership.
That’s turning fear into fuel.
Ways to work with me:
💬 One-on-one coaching
🎯 Leadership development and training
🎤 Book me as a Speaker or MC for your next event
