HBR IdeaCast A High-Performance Coach on the Key to Achieving Your Full Potential
139 snips
Nov 7, 2023 
Michael Gervais, a performance expert and founder of Finding Mastery, dives into the crippling effects of the Fear of Other People's Opinions (FOPO) on success. He shares strategies to overcome this fear, emphasizing the need to prioritize personal values over external validation. Gervais highlights techniques like mental imagery and mindfulness that can enhance performance, both in sports and business. Through actionable advice, he encourages a shift from a performance-based identity to a purpose-driven mindset, fostering authentic self-acceptance and mastery.
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Early FOPO Realization
- At 15, Michael Gervais realized how much he cared about others' opinions.
- He noticed his postural adjustment in his car hoping to impress a passing driver, who didn't even look.
Caring vs. Worrying
- Caring about others' opinions, within reason, is not inherently bad; worrying excessively is the problem.
- FOPO manifests subtly, like checking your phone to appear busy or laughing at jokes you don't find funny.
Scottie Pippen's FOPO
- Scottie Pippen's missed free throws, after saying "the mailman doesn't deliver on Sunday," highlight FOPO's impact.
- Even at the highest levels, the pressure of others' expectations can hinder performance.
