Fear-Based Decision Making
After spending years in the beneficial shadow of one of my key mentors, I am thankful to have picked up a few of his philosophies on life that have served me well.
Life leadership perspectives, if you will.
One that raises its head on the regular is in reference to “fear-based decision making.”
Hint: This is not a healthy leader’s MO.
Though an argument could be made that there are instances where fear can literally save your life, let’s remember there are exceptions to every rule.
Because in the world of leaders, fear-based decisions are, more often than not, regressive, protectionist, ill-informed, short-sighted, and weak.
That is not leadership.
In a previous MMS, we discussed the VUCA nature of our world and the need for strong, bold, courageous leaders to face the unknown, off-the-map future ahead of us.
Additionally, our society has become increasingly anxious – chronically anxious, even…
…to the point that a vast majority of people are walking around with measurable levels of fear in their bones every single day.
Fellow Christian leader, this cannot be our way of life. We have been called to be different, to be a light, and to not hide that light under a bushel (in fear).
You and I have been given a gift, and we have been charged to do something powerful with it.
May we not let fear be our guide.
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. – 2 Timothy 1:6 – 7
Blessings to you, my friends!
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This Week’s Resource Recommendation:
"Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy Seals Lead and Win"
– Jocko Willink & Leif Babin
You are going to get a mix of recommendations from me across the secular – spiritual spectrum. Case in point: this week’s resource. I attended a Faith Driven Entrepreneur conference last week where we were encouraged to never forget the fact that we are at war on several fronts, and that we have been given what we need to “be strong and courageous” as we face the battles ahead. The very idea of being at war strikes fear in the hearts of the masses. How about you?
One of the realities I have had to confront in the past 5 – 10 years was my lack of mental toughness in the face of extreme adversity. Reading works from Willink, Senk, Friedman, Steinke, and others has been cathartic in my development emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and physically. Today’s resource was one of the best in this segment of my journey.
From Amazon: Combat, the most intense and dynamic environment imaginable, teaches the toughest leadership lessons, with absolutely everything at stake. Jocko Willink and Leif Babin learned this reality first-hand on the most violent and dangerous battlefield in Iraq. As leaders of SEAL Team Three’s Task Unit Bruiser, their mission was one many thought impossible: help U.S. forces secure Ramadi, a violent, insurgent-held city deemed “all but lost.” In gripping, firsthand accounts of heroism, tragic loss, and hard-won victories, they learned that leadership―at every level―is the most important factor in whether a team succeeds or fails.
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And just for fun… check out Meghan Lynn confronting “Luci” on today’s topic!
MMS 24-13
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Blessings to you, my friend!
