Flying without a net : turn fear of change into fuel for success

"Even the brightest among us are anxious when confronted by ongoing threats of job loss and complex change. In response, we may hunker down and block ourselves from new challenges. But in truth, this response hurts us--and our organizations--more than it helps. What we really need to do despite fear and obstacles is choose the options of becoming even more vulnerable by making mistakes while learning something new. The author explains how to draw strength from vulnerability. The first step is to understand the forces that escalate anxiety in high achievers and the unproductive behaviors that result. Second, we must adopt practices that provide the courage to "do the right things poorly" before "doing the right things well." Drawing on his extensive research and consulting work, the author lays out: 1.) Roots of high achievers' anxiety, 2.) Destructive behaviors we adopt to relieve our anxiety, and 3.) Behaviors we must adopt to gain strength from vulnerability."