In our book ‘The Fear Free Organization’ we tackle fear at work, using neuroscience to explain why fear is so destructive, and what can be done to get rid of it. Fear at work damages people and businesses, and directly impacts the bottom-line. Fear-free organisations and the people in them flourish and succeed.
But fear is part of so many aspects of our lives today: bullies thrive on triggering fear in others, and fearful citizens prefer not to get too involved in a society that scares them.
We find fear in schools, which stunts children’s potential. Fear in families sets up damaging behaviour for life, and fear in marriages makes people stay together despite hate and suffering. Fear in politics stops leaders doing the right thing, and can even trigger wars and destruction. Fear in religious institutions stops universal loving kindness.
Fear is a fundamental emotion that changes our behaviour to keep us safe. But when it is initiated by others, it is corrosive and harmful. We need to talk about how prevalent fear is in our world, and what needs to be done about it.
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