Fear. That’s a complex emotion. For some a motivating, driving factor to rise earlier than everyone else and outwork everyone. Some, many run their company based on fear. Boy you can feel that a mile away.  Using fear to pull your vision, runs everyone around you ragged. 

Fear and creativity can’t co-exist. It’s very hard to take risks, be bold, and innovate when fear is running the show. 

Fear asks, “how is everyone else doing this?” 

Fear wants someone else to go first, fear wants to bully rather than challenge, fear wants a sure thing, over a calculated risk. Fear looks over it’s shoulder to see if people are following and fear always second guess looking for extrinsic motivation rather than internally to know what the right next move might be. 

Fear pushes deadlines rather than keeping them, because perfection is fears best friend. It can always be better and fear definitely doesn’t want to be rushed. Fear is never quite ready because that would open itself up to feedback and criticism. 

Fear doesn’t allow for mistakes, for falling down, fear doesn’t allow for psychological safety. Room for disagreement, conflict, for big bold courageous ideas, fear doesn’t make room for innovation. Fear can often take up all the space in the room and can lead to mediocre results and missed opportunities.

Fear points fingers to everyone else and fear doesn’t take responsibility. Fear may be the great equalizer, but fear can also be a big bully.

Fear is data. But when fear starts to run the show, that becomes another story. 

And is that the story you really want to tell? 

I’ve learned to dance with my own fear over the years. When I’m terrified, it’s my cue that I’m onto something great, something challenging, something truly creative and unique. 

So how might we as marketers embrace our fear and do it anyway? 

How to create psychological safety:

• The relationship is never at stake. People, your team, everyone involved must be given room to disagree without penalty. 
• Encourage conflict. The healthy productive kind. Diverse opinions make projects and products stronger. They can stand up to scrutiny. 
• Set clear expectations: When people know what is expected of them, they are more likely to be more efficient and fulfill the project needs.
• Provide regular feedback: Feedback helps everybody to understand how they are doing and to make necessary adjustments. It also helps to build trust within the project team members.
• Encourage risk-taking: Let people know that it is okay to make mistakes. Mistakes are opportunities to learn and grow, not something we should avoid at all cost. 
• Create a culture of trust and respect: When people feel safe and respected, they are more likely to take risks and be creative.

Moving toward psychological safety allows everyone to embrace the full potential of your story, and tell it to the world!

StoryInc crafts cinematic brand films, marketing videos for forward thinking brands who value authenticity, connection, and transformational relationships. Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco.