Hey Leader,

This week I’ve got something that might just change the way you lead. Especially if you’re a fan of fantasy movies!

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If Trust is the Frodo of Lord of The Rings, then Embarrassment is Sauron.

Confused?

Allow me to explain… Fear of embarrassment isn’t just a personal issue—it’s a leadership challenge.

Imagine a hidden foe that can strangle creativity and halt progress. We’ve all been there. Whether it’s sharing an “out there” idea in a meeting or taking on a new project, the fear of looking foolish can be paralysing.

So, how do leaders vanquish this baddie?

Trust.

And not the shallow kind that lasts as long as a 10-minute team-building exercise.

We’re talking about trust woven into the heart and soul of the team. It’s not about a pat on the back or some feel-good words. It’s about creating a “you can be you” zone—a place where everyone knows they’re valued for their wins and their wobbles. (If we never wobble… are we even playing the game properly?)

The real impact of this?

When trust is the core, it acts like a safety net. It means we can be human, try new things, and yes—even mess up. And remember: it’s often in those “oops” moments that our “aha” ideas are born.

Quick tip for building trust: Start with a simple team exercise where everyone shares a past ‘fail’ and what they learned from it. This isn’t about wallowing in the past. It’s about fostering a culture of learning from mistakes rather than fearing them.

Facing embarrassment starts with facing ourselves, and that’s a heck of a lot easier when we’re backed by leaders who’ve created an environment saturated with trust.

To wrap things up: Remember, every Frodo needs a Sam who’s got their back.

Stay tuned and keep charging ahead,
Andrew