We have a lot to talk about! If we are going to really dig in to a conversation about something as apparently bold and controversial as moving from fear to safety by decreasing indifference and increasing love at work, then we’ll need a shared understanding of some basic concepts.

The fact is that some types of threats are, well, not as threatening to our survival. Some threats are in fact helpful and prompt a useful fear that puts us on our toes and helps us perform. When we take on new responsibilities at work, for example, or learn a new skill, or present in front of a group, we may experience these challenges with a tolerable level of risk and threat.

Workplace fear is an all too common experience.Talk to almost anyone willing to be candid and they can tell you about a time, either past or present, of harmful fear at work.

No one wakes up in the morning, bounces out of bed, and eagerly declares, “I can’t wait to be ignored today! I hope my work doesn’t matter to anyone. I’m going in early because I’m not making a difference. Since no one cares about my work I am going after solving that really tough problem.”