Fear of Disappointing Others | 120 Seconds to Better Leadership

I want to talk a little today about the fear of disappointing others. Most of us don’t like the feeling of disappointing others, especially people we care about. Which may include our children, our spouses, our friends, our bosses.

You Can’t Avoid Disappointing Others

The important thing to keep in mind is that while it’s okay not to relish in disappointing others, you have to get good at being with it anyway, because here’s the simple truth. Every person in your life has an agenda for you. They have an agenda for what they want you to earn, what they want you to be, how they want you to spend your time. Things they want you to do for them.

Be True to Yourself

If the fear of disappointing people drives you to just try and squeeze yourself into that mold that doesn’t disappoint people, chances are you’re not really doing and becoming what you want to do and become. So, I would invite you today to really think about the career trajectory you’re on, the way you’re spending your time. If that’s a true reflection of your highest sense of what you want for your life and your career. Or, if some of what you’re doing is to avoid the feeling of disappointing someone important. So, if you have the sense that might be part of what’s driving you, it’s a good time to check in and really get clear about being comfortable with disappointing those. Even those we care about.

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