These three fears kill innovation

The fear of criticism, the fear of losing control, and the fear of career impact.

They stifle curiosity, prevent people from taking initiative and keep us stuck in our comfort zone.

In fact, the ability to manage them is what separates those who thrive from those who don't.

Neuroscientists tell us that when fear dominates, it cuts off curiosity and shuts down our willingness to experiment. The brain shifts into self-protection mode.

We stop trying new things, stop seeking out new problems, and settle into safe, predictable paths.

This is the essence of what I call the Initiative Gap: a stand-off between leaders who want more innovation and teams who are too afraid to try.

Closing this gap isn't about demanding more action—it’s about removing the invisible barriers that hold people back.

The most innovative companies use these three strategies to manage these fears:

First, encourage curiosity. Make it clear that asking questions, exploring new ideas, and challenging assumptions isn’t just allowed—it’s expected and valued. Curiosity is the antidote to fear because it shifts focus from “What could go wrong?” to “What could we discover?”

Second, make it easy. Lower the stakes for taking small risks. Give people safe spaces to test ideas, fail fast, and learn without reputational damage. The easier it is to experiment without fear of harsh consequences, the more people will step up.

Third, make it normal. Build a culture where taking initiative isn’t the exception—it’s the standard. Celebrate action, even when it doesn't lead to perfect results. When people see that initiative is recognised and rewarded, not punished, it quickly becomes part of the team’s identity.

Fear doesn’t disappear on its own—but when you encourage curiosity, make it easy to take action, and normalise stepping up, you create an environment where initiative thrives.

And when that happens, innovation becomes not just possible, but inevitable.