Fear Gives Bad Advice

Matt Mochary coaches the CEOs of some of the most successful companies in tech. The most common thing he has to tell them?

'I believe that fear is actually giving you bad advice and I think you're predicting that if you do this, A will happen. Well, I'm predicting that if you do that, the exact opposite will happen.'

He's made this bet hundreds of times. He's never lost.

'It's not because I'm a magician or a genius. It's because when someone's in fear, they're gripped. They can't see reality. Their brain is making very exaggerated predictions.'

Watch this in your kids. They're afraid to try the monkey bars. Their brain is predicting disaster. But the person not gripped by fear - you - can see clearly: they'll be fine.

The skill isn't eliminating fear. It's recognizing when fear is talking. Then checking with someone who isn't afraid before deciding whether to listen.

'Fear gives bad advice' might be the most important four words you teach them.