When we think of successful entrepreneurs and think-leaders, we often envision individuals who exude tremendous strength, confidence, and power. Many women entrepreneurs are learning that, in order to be regarded as fearless and self-assured leaders, it’s important to show their transparency and vulnerability. Leading a company is no longer requires an unwavering front at all times–faking it until you make it, better known as imposter syndrome. But authentic entrepreneurship stems from the courage to be human, to take risks, to inspire, and forge ahead especially you don’t have all the answers.

Courage is not the absence of fear. It’s the willingness to persist in spite of it. Courage is the determination to become strong in your belief while knowing the risks you are taking. It’s the determination to pursue goals and visions that others often see as too ambitious, too grand, and too far-fetched. Fear of failure is a universal struggle for entrepreneurs and leaders. It’s a source of dread and anxiety that if you allow it will overtake your mind, will gnaw away at your drive and motivation.

Your desire to excel and your courage to dare, especially in the face of potential failure, is a requirement on your path to success. When you live in fear and negativity, you will not try, you will not take risks, and you will say no instead of yes. You accept defeat before you even begin. Most people don’t even recognize when it has overtaken their lives. Fear can be sneaky, and it shows up in all kinds of disguises.

In excessive amounts, it can paralyze you and hold you back creating anxiety and depression. Courage, on the other hand, neutralizes the defeating effects of fear. It allows you to use that fear to your advantage and pushes you to be more productive with your choices. A mindset that lacks courage always finds reasons and justifications for stagnation because doing nothing seems much safer than making a move. Success is the preferred outcome, but as you build your tolerance to failure. Meanwhile, you build an acquired resilience to keep trying and the courage not to give up.

Have the courage to acknowledge your fears as a message to push ahead toward your ambitions anyway! Embracing the hard work as well as the challenges you face along the way, allows you to ignore your Achilles heel as you stand out from your competitors and manage your reputation and legacy.

Allow fear to be your catalyst for action. It compels you to assess your priorities and identify what matters. You then can envision a positive outcome when you’re confronted with a situation that causes you unnecessary fear.