Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Steve Camilleri, Executive Director at the Center for the Homeless. We hope you enjoy Steve’s wisdom and perspective.
I'm scared to write this blog.
OK, there, I admitted it, I'm scared. But why?
Because I am going to share my love for Justin Timberlake. And my love for him goes way back...and not just the uber-cool 2013 Suit and Tie Timberlake, but I'm talking about the 1995 N'Sync when-no-one-else-really-thought-he-was-cool-Timberlake!
Timberlake recently tried his hand in composing an orchestral film score for the indie drama, "Book of Love." While you might be thinking this isn't a stretch for such a talented musician, it actually is quite a departure from what he is known for doing - winning Emmys and Grammys and being a multi-platinum popstar.
In a recent article I read about this new challenge JT was taking on, the director of the film, Bill Purple, said, "I knew I was in good hands because he was immediately scared, and he’s not a guy that’s ever afraid of anything. He’s the most confident person you’ve ever met. But he was frightened, because it was something new. But I know that, creatively, that’s a good space to be in."
WOW! Justin Timberlake is scared, too! But apparently, it’s not only okay to be scared, it’s actually good to be scared. JT embraced his fear, pushed himself out of his comfort zone, and let his creative juices flow. Had he let the fear consume him, JT would never have been able to create this orchestral score.
So what the heck does this have to do with leadership?
As we saw with JT, it is not that we are afraid, but rather, how we react to fear that makes us succeed. The same principle applies to leadership, both to you as a leader and to your entire team. How we react to challenges determines whether we will succeed or fail.
I have to admit, too often I get comfortable and fall into the same rhythms and routines day after day, week after week, and year after year.
I’ve been the CEO of a non-profit organization for the past twelve years, and while I love what I do, it can cause me to fall into this trap sometimes. However, this past winter we tried a completely new fundraising event that frightened me tremendously. Would it be successful? Did we strike the right balance? Did we reserve a ballroom only to have no one show up? By embracing the fear and pushing our team outside our comfort zone, while certainly causing me quite a few sleepless nights, this new idea was a fantastic success for its inaugural year -- there was great energy in the room, we raised a lot of money, and heck, we even had someone lip-sync to N'Sync's “Bye Bye Bye!”
But I am left wondering, why I am so scared to be uncomfortable? And what do I have to lose in taking a chance on something new? As the leader of our organization, I know fear can hold us all back from fulfilling our mission - to help break the cycle of homelessness amongst our guests - but I also know that when we embrace it and use it effectively, fear can help us reach new heights in our mission!
What's The Risk?
The risk is being boring. Sticking with status quo. Not stretching yourself. And just getting by day-by-day and not realizing your potential. And let's face it, no one wants that!
Imagine the world if artists, intellectuals, and leaders never stepped outside their comfort zones. Let’s embrace the fear and allow it take us to new heights…in the words of JT’s Oscar nominated tune, “Can’t Stop The Feeling” …
I got this feeling inside my bones
It goes electric, wavey when I turn it on
All through my city, all through my home
We're flying up, no ceiling, when we in our zone!
This content was written and shared by guest blogger, Steve Camilleri.
Steve Camilleri is the Executive Director of the South Bend Center for the Homeless, a position he has held since 2004.
During his time at the Center, Steve has been asked to serve on the Governor's Commission for a Drug Free Indiana, Congressman Chocola's Nonprofit Advisory Board, the Indiana Interagency Council on Homelessness, Indiana Association of Economic and Community Development, Entermission, Inc., South Bend Parks and Recreation Foundation Board, Junior League Community Advisory Board, AIDS Ministries/AIDS Assist, and AARC.
But nothing has had as great an impact on Steve's life as his family. Steve and his lovely wife Erin Kennedy Camilleri have two beautiful children, Isabelle and Michael.
Connect with Steve on LinkedIn. Connect with the Center for the Homeless via their website, Twitter, or Facebook.
