Whenever I am fearful of something, I think about the talented artisans who are a tremendous inspiration to me and who galvanized me at a time when I was discouraged.
Like most entrepreneurs, I took a very big risk when I turned down a stable job in return for starting my own business. There was a lot of uncertainty. I was newly married. I didn’t have the support of many family members. It would have been understandable if I gave up because of uncertainty.
The unknown can be scary but don’t let fear stop you from following your dreams.
The artisans alleviate my fears. By observing them I realised that fear is driven by ego and inferiority complex. Instead, they were the personification of fearlessness.
These people do not have fear because they have little to lose. They are working from a pure place and with love as their motivation because their only goal is to provide for their families. These talented artisans create rather than produce. Unlike the rest of us, their motivations are selfless.
It was this incorruptible way of working that I witnessed that gave me the courage to move forward.
I understood then that if these artisans, who had so much talent and yet survived on so little, could work with dignity and grace, then what is to stop me?
It is quite normal to be apprehensive. In fact, if you weren’t afraid of something, it would be strange. However, as leaders, we shouldn’t let ego and inferiority complex take the best of us.
Being open, honest and fearless can be just the inspiration and cohesive cultural attribute that your organization can benefit from singing your dreams and making a difference.
