Leadership Consulting

Katharine McLennan, Partner

Amidst financial crises, tsunamis and earthquakes, fear prevails and plays havoc with our daily lives. Those leaders in the workplace who can recognise fear for what it is - False Evidence Appearing Real - are able to transform the negative energy of fear into courage and make choices in their decisions that concentrate on moving forward despite the obstacles. Those who cannot accept and convert their fear into courage will instead resort to hunkering down, conserving cash, and disposing of assets - and these assets are often some of the organisation’s best talent or resources.

But is it possible to challenge and change our natural predisposition for fear? On the one hand, we do know that the brain’s hard wiring will naturally translate major negative events as life-or-death situations to which cannot be rationally or courageously responded. On the other hand, we have found that the brain is malleable and that we can build new pathways and choose to respond differently, especially if we have awareness around the way our hardwiring works. Understanding both “hands” is essential in choosing the path less travelled by — i.e. the conscious choice of leadership.  Read the full article