Dive into a conversation on fear and anxiety with sports psychologist Dr. Pippa Grange. Learn about the journey of transformation, embracing surrender for growth, and the impact of tying self-worth to achievements. Explore the depths of winning, authenticity in work and relationships, and the power of co-creation in nurturing socially conscious athletes.
Winning shallow leads to constant comparison and lack of fulfillment, while winning deep involves soulful desire and joy in the journey.
High achievers often struggle with fear of not being good enough, driving anxiety and creating a culture of comparison.
Embracing vulnerability in the workplace fosters connection, creativity, and a more enriching work environment.
Deep dives
The Difference Between Winning Shallow and Winning Deep
Winning shallow involves achieving to avoid feelings of not being good enough, to impress others, or to beat someone else. It leads to a lack of fulfillment and a constant need for comparison. On the other hand, winning deep is about enjoying the journey, feeling rich fulfillment, achieving for reasons beyond ego, and finding joy in the struggle. It is driven by a soulful desire and done for purposes outside of oneself.
The Impact of Fear of Not Being Good Enough on Performance
The fear of not being good enough and shame are pervasive in high achievers across various fields. This fear drives a constant need to perform, leading to anxiety, self-doubt, and a sense of urgency. It creates a culture of comparison, inhibiting true fulfillment and resilience. Overcoming this fear involves recognizing that worth is not tied to achievements and learning to find joy and authenticity beyond performance.
Challenges in Academic and Professional Cultures Promoting Vulnerability and Learning
Academic and professional cultures often prioritize expertise and perfection, discouraging vulnerability, mistakes, and learning. This approach can lead to a lack of soulful connection, discourages curiosity and growth, and promotes a fear of being wrong. It can create an exhausting environment where individuals feel pressured to always appear infallible, hindering genuine connection and hindering mental well-being.
Embracing Vulnerability in the Workplace
In the podcast episode, it discusses the importance of embracing vulnerability in the workplace. Sharing stories from the Richmond Tigers, it illustrates how vulnerability and soulfulness have contributed to their success. The episode emphasizes that allowing vulnerability and authenticity fosters connection, creativity, and co-creation, leading to a more enriching and fulfilling work environment.
Redefining Excellence Through Wholehearted Living in Sports Academies
The podcast explores how sports academies, particularly Right to Dream, are redefining excellence through wholehearted living and focusing on the humanity within sports. By emphasizing character development, social impact, and purpose beyond just winning, these academies offer a holistic approach to athlete development. The episode highlights the importance of connection, intimacy, and authenticity in nurturing talents and creating a supportive, inclusive environment for young athletes to thrive.
This episode feels like a conversation with an old friend who happens to be an expert on fear, anxiety, and perfectionism. Pippa is a highly sought-after sports psychologist, a culture coach, and the author of the bestselling book Fear Less: How to Win at Life Without Losing Yourself. As the head of people and team development at the Football Association, she worked closely with the England team for the World Cup in 2018 (remember when they finally broke that penalty kick curse?). Join us as we talk about what it means to live with an open heart versus clenched fists.