Fear, Leadership, and Building the Community You’re Meant to Create

Fear, Leadership, and Building the Community You’re Meant to Create

People change when they decide to create their own community and I love having a front row seat for it. Future members benefit when the group is formed, but the Group Builder is transformed in the process too. When you decide to become a Group Builder, you invite your own growth. And that’s a good thing.

I’ve helped dozens of people think through the steps of creating a community. I’ve watched leaders experience both the joy and fear of building something new. Taking risks can feel exciting and scary at the same time. When you build a group, it’s normal to wonder who will join or whether your vision will succeed. Often, the difference between groups that launch and those that never do comes down to the mindset of the leader.

Here’s the thing: worried thoughts are normal. Letting them run wild in your mind is what becomes unhelpful.

This is the pattern I see. Group Builders usually start full of enthusiasm. The possibilities feel endless. But when it’s time to host a recruiting event or invest money into a website or platform, anxious thoughts appear. That’s part of being human. However, when you dwell on those thoughts, anxiety grows deeper. Soon, you begin questioning every plan you’ve made.

Science teaches us a few things about fear. Research highlighted by Psychology Today explains that anxiety suppresses activity in the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for decision-making and problem-solving. In other words, anxiety can short-circuit creativity right when you need it most.

Your future members need your creativity. But when you stay stuck in survival mode, it becomes difficult to see the bigger picture. 

Thankfully, you can break the cycle. Don’t let fear keep you from becoming the leader your network needs.

Here are some things to try:

• Don’t rush big decisions when your brain feels overwhelmed.
• When anxiety rises, give yourself time to reset.
• Step outside.
• Rest.
• Eat something nourishing.
• Calm and creativity often return together, but they take a little time.

Most importantly, shift your focus away from your nerves and back to the transformation you want to offer your future members. Remember your heart to serve. If you have a trusted friend or coach, ask them to remind you of your “why.” When you focus on purpose instead of fear, your brain relaxes, your creativity returns, and you can build the space your community is waiting for.

I’m cheering for you.
Learn more about we can help you build your peer community here.