The Courageous Choice

This episode is a heart-to-heart dive into the real, raw relationship between fear and leadership. Barb Krol, Chief People Officer and seasoned coach, shares her transformative journey and powerful insights on how fear shapes us — and how embracing it can make us stronger, more authentic leaders. If you're ready to confront your fears and step into your most courageous self, this episode is your wake-up call. In this episode: Barb’s personal journey from fear of losing her career to fearless authenticity How fear manifests in leaders and how to recognize it in ourselves and others The connection between fear, shame, and grief, and how to navigate these emotions Practical steps to manage fear through small, courageous actions The role of vulnerability and candor in leading with confidence How to transform fear into exponential leadership impact The importance of continuous inner work and self-awareness for lasting leadership legacy Timestamps: 00:00 – Podcast Intro 00:33 – Introduction of guest Barb Croll, Chief People Officer at Orange County’s Credit Union 01:50 – Exploring the journey of leadership effectiveness and the role of fear 02:54 – Mid-career fear vs. later-career fear: Success vs. Mortality 04:00 – How leaders unknowingly operate from a place of fear and the denial of it 06:50 – The connection between fear, leadership, and shame 08:50 – The “Lion” vs. “CYA”: How fear affects decision-making and risk-taking 10:45 – Careful Candor: Learning to be comfortable being uncomfortable 12:20 – Comparing the “waves” of fear to the process of grief 14:30 – Redefining grief in the workplace: Aging, body changes, and career endings 15:50 – The “Second Act”: Finding boldness and fearlessness late in a career 18:10 – Breaking free from "political shackles" to add real value 19:10 – Can we fix the system? Systemic change vs. individual growth 20:45 – Leadership in the age of AI and rapid technology: Leading with less data 22:45 – The Kaizen Principle: The power of 1% daily improvement over perfectionism 25:20 – Silencing the inner chatter: "Did I do my best today?" 26:30 – Barb’s Final Advice: Do the internal work and "don't get caught in your belly button" Resources & Links: - Daring Greatly by Brené Brown - Kaizen Principle Explained - Orange County’s Credit Union  Connect with Barb: Linkedin Thanks for listening to “The Courageous Choice.” Be sure to leave us a review and subscribe so you don’t miss any conversations.  For more information, visit gigtalentagency.com or email us at [email protected] if you have any questions.