FEAR THESAURUS

LEADING



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HELPFUL TIP:

A deeply embedded fear often stems from trauma, so it can be helpful to explore emotional wounds that may be a factor. Your character might also become risk-averse, avoiding people and situations they associate with this fear. And for a character to achieve their story goal, they must overcome any fear-based thinking that's holding them back. The Character Builder is a great resource for pulling all these factors together.
NOTES:
Leading is not easy. It means being responsible and accountable, making decisions that will have a wide impact, and facing scrutinization for certain actions taken. This fear can cause characters to avoid stepping forward when asked (or needed), resent having this role thrust upon them, and even affect those already in a leadership role.

WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE:
Resistance to being in charge
Avoiding making a final decision
Not wanting to be responsible in bigger ways
The character not wanting to speak up or speak their mind (as this could cause others to push the character to lead)
Letting others decide
Being risk-averse
The character pointing out their flaws and lack of suitability to others
Self-sabotage (to prove to others they aren't leadership material)
Avoiding conflict and arguments
Bringing on a partner to co-lead
Obsessing about missteps and mistakes
Indecisiveness and hesitation
Asking someone else to pass along bad news
Avoiding being the one to make hard decisions (and instead passing the buck or putting it to a vote)
Pulling back or hiding out in stressful times
Trying to avoid public speaking (preferring email and other "silent" ways of communicating)
Having someone else make the speeches and be the 'face' of the operation
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COMMON INTERNAL STRUGGLES:
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FLAWS THAT MAY EMERGE:
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HINDRANCES AND DISRUPTIONS TO THE CHARACTER'S LIFE:
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EMOTIONAL WOUNDS IT COULD STEM FROM:
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SCENARIOS THAT MIGHT AWAKEN THIS FEAR :
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HUMAN NEEDS THAT COULD BE IMPACTED:
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GOALS MADE DIFFICULT BY THIS FEAR:
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CONFLICT SCENARIOS THAT OFFER GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES:
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