Fear is the Biggest Roadblock to Leadership Growth
Stepping into a leadership role for the first time is an exhilarating yet daunting transition.
The shift from being an individual contributor to leading a team brings uncertainty, self-doubt, and pressure.
Many new leaders ask themselves:
- What if I make the wrong decision?
- What if my team doesn’t respect me?
- What if I fail?
These fears are universal. Every leader experiences them at some point.
The problem is that too many emerging leaders let fear control them rather than using it as fuel for growth.
Jorge Loebl, founder of Revolving Change, explains why this happens:
“A junior manager and a senior manager are going to have completely different fears. A junior manager is sometimes fearful of getting bullied or exposed in front of their colleagues… There is also gender-related fear, where a female will have different fears than a male for poor management reasons.”
Instead of taking action, many emerging leaders hesitate, avoid difficult conversations, or second-guess themselves.
But fear is not the problem.
How you respond to it is.
This guide will show you how to recognize, reframe, and overcome the fears that hold new leaders back so you can step into leadership with confidence.
Why New Leaders Feel Fear, And What to Do About It
Common Leadership Fears and How They Manifest
Fear shows up differently for every new leader, but the most common struggles include:
- Fear of Failure – “What if I mess up?”
New leaders often hesitate to take action because they are afraid of making mistakes or falling short of expectations. - Fear of Feedback – “What if I can’t handle criticism?”
Leaders must give and receive feedback, yet many avoid it because they fear confrontation or negative responses. - Fear of Authority – “Do I deserve to be here?”
Many emerging leaders struggle with imposter syndrome, doubting their abilities and fearing that others will question their authority. - Fear of Visibility – “What if people notice my weaknesses?”
Leadership requires stepping into the spotlight and owning decisions, even when they’re difficult or unpopular.
Jorge explains how fear often operates under the surface:
“Very often, discomfort is part of fear, and people don’t realize that. They just take discomfort as, ‘Oh, I just don’t feel comfortable.’ No, you’re fearful. And if we would take it as fear and manage it as fear, we’d be a lot more effective at overcoming those uncomfortable situations.”
To grow into a confident leader, you must first identify which of these fears is holding you back.
Mastering Feedback, The Confidence Skill Most New Leaders Avoid
One of the biggest challenges for new leaders is handling feedback, both receiving and giving it.
Many new managers avoid feedback because they see it as criticism rather than a tool for growth.
Jorge highlights this issue:
“The fear of feedback itself is one of the major issues in business. There’s fear in giving feedback. There’s fear in getting feedback. There’s fear in considering feedback because if I consider feedback, it might mean that I have to change what I’m doing. It might mean that I have to step back. It might mean that I have to apologize for something I did.”
To reframe feedback as a leadership asset, try these strategies:
- Separate Ego from Growth
Feedback is not a personal attack. It is a tool for improvement. The more leaders embrace feedback, the faster they grow. - Ask for Actionable Feedback
Many new leaders fear negative feedback because they don’t know what to do with it. Instead, ask specific questions:- “What’s one thing I can improve on?”
- “How did my communication come across in that meeting?”
- Give Feedback With Confidence
The fear of giving feedback often stems from not knowing how. Use structured feedback techniques like:- Stating the behavior
- Describing the impact
- Offering a solution
Mastering feedback is a game-changer for leadership confidence.
How Small Wins Quiet Big Fears
Confidence in leadership is not something you wake up with, it is built through action.
Jorge explains:
“Success feeds success. You don’t want to start with the most difficult challenge because you’re going to fail and then give up. You want to generate success and motivate yourself by being successful. That’s why you choose the easy wins first.”
- Start With Small Leadership Decisions
Instead of waiting for the perfect moment, start making small decisions daily.
Even simple actions like speaking up in meetings or volunteering for tasks build leadership muscle. - Get Comfortable With Discomfort
Growth only happens outside your comfort zone.
Challenge yourself with low-risk leadership situations to build resilience over time. - Track Your Growth
Keep a leadership progress journal where you note:- Situations where you felt fear
- How you responded
- What you learned
This creates a measurable record of growth.
How Resilient Leaders Grow Through Fear, Not Past It
Resilient leaders don’t eliminate fear, they master it.
This means learning how to manage anxiety, embrace discomfort, and maintain composure under pressure.
Here’s how to strengthen resilience:
- Use Cognitive Reframing
Shift from “I’m afraid of making a mistake” to “Every mistake is a learning opportunity.” - Set Predictable Expectations
Clarity eliminates uncertainty-driven anxiety.
Define what success looks like for yourself and your team. - Surround Yourself With Strong Leaders
Join learning communities, peer groups, and mentorship programs for perspective and support.
Resilience is not about never feeling fear, it’s about training yourself to keep moving forward despite it.
Final Thoughts, You're Ready, Even If You're Scared
Fear in leadership is inevitable, but it does not have to be a barrier.
- Recognize fear for what it is, an opportunity for growth.
- Reframe feedback, mistakes, and challenges as stepping stones to leadership mastery.
- Take action despite fear, starting with small wins that build confidence over time.
As Jorge puts it:
“The greatest leaders aren’t fearless. They’ve simply learned how to manage fear effectively.”
You already have what it takes to be a confident leader.
Now it’s time to step into it.
Confidence Is Built, Not Given
You don’t have to keep second-guessing yourself.
We have Memberships that gives you the coaching, community, and structure to grow confident leadership skills, one action at a time.
Start building authority without pretending to be fearless.