Fear is a primal emotion associated with a low level of consciousness. Some people think fear is an important part of our survival. It’s not. Caution is what’s important. Caution and fear are not the same. We survive in spite of fear, not because of it.

Fear shuts down our executive functions—our ability to think and make decisions. Fear causes paralysis, kills creativity, and limits our growth.

People who operate from fear are unhappy. Businesses that operate from fear may survive, but they never thrive.

Caution means that you’re aware of potential pitfalls and take precautions when necessary. Caution keeps us alert. Caution doesn’t tangle us up in a web of emotions like fear does. Caution doesn’t hinder our ability to stay relaxed and focused. We can be cautious and still think and act with reason and accountability.

Fear can be pervasive within any person or business. When fear becomes our default position to act, think, talk, and make decisions, we are debilitated.

Caution is used only when needed, like after a fruitful brainstorm where many ideas are created. Caution helps Black Hat your ideas, searching for the potential pitfalls you missed in the idea generation stage of the creative process. In fear, creative ideas are rarely discovered.

Let go of fear and utilize caution when appropriate. The benefits you’ll reap are beyond measure.

Related posts:

1. The Anatomy of Fear
2. Learn to Value Ideas
3. Power versus Force in Business

What does it take to be a world-class team member? What qualities must you possess to help contribute to and support your collective?

1) Results-Driven

You are driven by a larger vision—an end picture bigger than your own personal objectives. You keep the team’s objective in mind at all times and work diligently towards its achievement.

2) Accountability

You are accountable for your actions and responsibilities and you hold your teammates accountable for theirs. Your high level of accountability gives your team members certainty that you’ll get your part done.

3) Empathy

You are aware of your own feelings and the feelings of your teammates. You aren’t overly sensitive and you don’t engage in office politics, but you are aware of what’s not said, which deepens your connection and ability to communicate openly with your teammates.

4) Integrity

You uphold a high personal standard. You are honest, open and trust-worthy. You don’t play mind games. You do what you think is best for the team and the greater good.

5) Humility

You are confident in character and grounded with humility. You are not afraid to ask for help, admit ignorance or say you don’t understand. Humility is the universal trait of creative genius as it brings the willingness to grow.

6) Supportive

You are supportive of your team members. You find ways to uplift, inspire and honor them. In serving your team members, you serve yourself and the team.

7) Willingness

You are willing to go above and beyond what is expected of you. You serve as a role model for the rest of the team and inspire a deeper level of commitment within the team.

All seven of these attributes represent areas of growth and discovery for each of us. You might excel at certain attributes and be deficient in others, but by becoming aware of each of them, you can constantly grow in your abilities as a world-class team member.

Related posts:

1. Seven Great Reasons to Invest in Team Building
2. Five Habits of Highly Effective Team Leaders
3. The Five Archetypes of a Destructive Team

One of the chief roles of a coach—whether in sports, business or life—is to keep his coachee accountable to his goals, personal standards and what he says he will do.

Accountability has always been a desired attribute of an achiever, but today’s wired world of infinite distraction makes accountability even more important—and more rare.

You’re in trouble if your friends, colleagues, investors or customers do not perceive you as someone accountable. Without accountability, your relationships deteriorate and your opportunities diminish (positive word of mouth decreases and negative word of mouth increases).

Here are a few reminders for upholding a high level of accountability:

• Follow up. If you tell someone you’re going to get back to them with the desired information by the day’s end, do it. If you can’t deliver the information, update the person in a timely manner.
• Be responsive. Although there’s no standard guide, do your best to respond to email and phone requests within 24 hours—although less is preferred. (This doesn’t mean you have to respond up to the minute. Block off correspondence time each day.)
• Do your best work. If you don’t set high work standards, people will assume you don’t have them.
• Take responsibility. When you screw up—and we all do from time to time—admit it. Apologize, but don’t tell your “story” or give excuses. Just own the error and charge forward.

Accountability is demonstrated through your actions, but also through your overall way of being in the world.

Your high level of accountability will inspire and influence those around you.

Related posts:

1. How Coachable Are You?
2. Six Levels of Urgency in Modern Communication
3. Seven Attributes of a World-Class Team Member