Yeah, Let’s go get rejected!
I have never heard someone utter those words… ever! Yet, that is the very idea that brings us to today’s podcast. Check out the story of Jia Jiang. Brilliant, inspiring and incredibly helpful for a mind shift if you are struggling with a fear of rejection.
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Fear of rejection is something that many of us struggle with, especially in leadership roles where decisions are scrutinised and risks are high. But understanding how to manage and overcome this fear can make all the difference in how we lead and grow. Jia Jiang’s "100 Days of Rejection" and Dale Carnegie’s wisdom offer powerful insights into conquering the fear of rejection.
Jia Jiang, an entrepreneur, decided to tackle his fear of rejection head-on through a unique experiment he called "100 Days of Rejection." For 100 days, Jiang deliberately put himself in situations where he expected to be rejected, like asking for a "burger refill" or requesting to plant a flower in someone's yard. His goal was simple: to desensitise himself to the pain of rejection by facing it repeatedly.
What Jiang discovered was transformative. Instead of being crippled by rejection, he learned that it wasn’t as scary as he had imagined. In many cases, people were more open and receptive than he expected. Even when he was rejected, it didn’t sting as much because he had started to see rejection as an opportunity for growth rather than a personal failure.
Dale Carnegie’s famous quote echoes this idea, "Do the thing you fear to do and keep on doing it… that is the quickest and surest way ever yet discovered to conquer fear”. Carnegie believed that the best way to overcome fear, including the fear of rejection, is to confront it directly and consistently. By repeatedly facing the situations we fear, we begin to realise that they are not as terrifying as they seem, and we build the resilience needed to handle them with confidence.
For leaders, the fear of rejection can hold us back from making bold decisions, taking risks, or pursuing innovative ideas. But by embracing the lessons from Jiang and Carnegie, we can start to see rejection not as a barrier but as a stepping stone to growth. The more we expose ourselves to the possibility of rejection, the less power it has over us, and the more empowered we become to lead with courage and resilience.
In conclusion, fear of rejection is a common challenge, but it doesn't have to define us. By facing our fears head-on and practicing resilience, we can conquer rejection and lead with greater confidence and strength.