FDR was right

I remember the famous line from President Franklin D. Roosevelt, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." I never really paid attention to its meaning; I just thought it was one of those catchy quotes that will live on forever.

Well, he was right. Fear is what we should fear. Fear of being open with a client or with an employee, fear of telling the truth, fear of being vulnerable, fear of charging what is fair.

When we're fearful, we send a clear message to others - whether they are clients or employees or friends - that we don't believe, that we don't have passion, etc.

We can't fool ourselves about fear - we can smell fear on others, and they can smell it on us.

For our companies to prosper and for each of us to lead fulfilling lives and careers, we have to fear only one thing - fear itself. We have to conquer it.

FDR was so right.


Barry LaBov
LaBov & Beyond
www.labov.com