CHAPTER 12Managing Fear

This four-letter word—fear—deserves its own chapter for its formidable role as gatekeeper to many of the things we want in life. Whether it’s our own fear that, for myriad reasons, keeps us from speaking up for our ideas and beliefs, or the fears of others that keep them from acting on our best suggestions and proposals, breakthrough communication is hard to achieve when the emotion of fear isn’t managed effectively.

What are you afraid of?

Chances are that when you reflect on this question, you come up with a few things that range from mild-anxiety inducing to sheer terror. The old chestnut of “public speaking being feared more than death itself” comes to mind. Phobias from fear of heights, to fear of spiders, to fear ...

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