“If you aren’t a little bit scared, why are you doing it?”

That’s the question my mentor was asking me.

I had spent a few years climbing the corporate ladder, carefully choosing my experiences and building my brand to work towards the role I wanted.

It was right in front of me. I was next in line. I was the shoo-in candidate.

With a single question, he disrupted years of planning and preparation.

Changing my vision for the next few years with six words.

“What scares you about the role?”

I froze. 

I wanted to say “nothing,” but I also knew that it would be arrogant to believe that. 

So he said it for me. 

“It doesn’t scare you enough.”

He knew my goals. He knew my aspirations.

I had clearly stated that I desired exponential development and growth, but I was locked in on a linear opportunity.

It was only my goal because it had been my goal for a long time. 

It was no longer the right goal.

If I wanted transformative professional growth and development, fear and uncertainty had to be a key ingredient.

A goal that appears to be a challenge when you initially set it may be an afterthought by the time you can achieve it.

This was now achievement in title only.

So, I said no. I didn’t even interview – and we took out a blank piece of paper and started with one question.

“What scares you the most?”.