10 Ways Fear Undermines Your Leadership Skills and What to Do to Fight Burnout

Episode 312: What if the secret to becoming a more confident leader and fighting burnout is learning to recognize how fear is running the show?

Fear doesn’t just sit in the background—it hijacks your leadership, clouds your judgment, and quietly fuels burnout. If you’ve ever avoided a tough conversation, felt isolated at the top, or found yourself paralyzed when the stakes are high, this episode is for you. David explains how fear disguises itself as caution, control, and perfectionism—and offers guidance on what to do instead.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The 10 subtle leadership mistakes fear causes—and how to stop them before they cost you credibility.
• Simple mindset shifts and behaviors that restore your courage and re-energize your leadership.
• Practical tools to lead with clarity, stay connected to your team, and stop fear from driving your decisions.

Hit play now to break free from fear-based habits and start leading with the confidence that fights burnout and builds lasting influence.

Leading with Fear Is Like Leaving Your Leadership in the Garage

[01:44] – The scratched car metaphor: David shares a story about his son witnessing a car door getting dinged, using it to highlight how fear of making mistakes can paralyze your leadership. You can’t protect your leadership from every scratch—if you’re afraid to mess up, you’re not really leading.

[02:44] – Mistake #1 – Avoidance hides the real work: Fear often makes you procrastinate the task that matters most. But that discomfort is actually a signal pointing to your MIT—Most Important Thing.

[04:09] – Mistake #2 – Fear erodes credibility: When you freeze up and don’t communicate, your team notices. They lose trust not because you’re afraid, but because you’re not honest about it.

[05:06] – Mistake #3 – Fear isolates you: Fear makes you feel alone and overwhelmed. But your team is one of your greatest assets. Reconnecting with others gives you strength, perspective, and momentum.

[07:13] – Mistake #5 – Fear halts future-building: Fear doesn’t build—fear dodges. If you’re stuck in “let’s not fail” mode, you can’t inspire your team. To fight burnout and lead well, focus on the real consequences and the future you want to create.

Courageous Leadership That Builds Confidence and Fights Burnout

[09:46] – Mistake #7 – You stop taking healthy risks: Playing it safe keeps you stagnant. Growth, confidence, and the ability to fight burnout all rely on staying in learning mode—even when it’s uncomfortable.

[10:51] – Mistake #8 – No apologies, no growth: Fear of appearing weak stops you from owning mistakes. But sincere apologies build trust and model humility, which reduces emotional strain—for you and your team.

[12:47] – Mistake #9 – Victim mindset takes over: Fear leads to helplessness. David offers two empowering questions to shift your mindset and fight burnout: What do I really want to achieve? And what can I do to get there?

[14:35] – Mistake #10 – You spread fear to your team: Leaders recreate themselves. If fear drives your behavior, your team will pick up on it and mirror it—creating a stressed-out, reactive culture.

[15:59] – Fear shrinks with practice: Over time, the things that once caused weeks of anxiety will take just hours of clear thinking. To fight burnout, take small steps toward your fear instead of avoiding it entirely. Start with curiosity and one simple action.