The Word of the Day

There really is a word for everything.

Recently, I was scrolling through a website that offered a “Word of the Day,” and I decided to investigate. The word the site chose was “atelophobia,” which is the term that describes the fear of making mistakes. I had been working with a client who was facing a similar issue, so it got me thinking about the way the fear of making mistakes affects our decision-making in business—and what we can do to fight back.

What’s interesting about atelophobia is that it doesn’t just describe the fear of making mistakes. We all know that “phobia” means “fear,” but not many of us know the term “atelo.” In Ancient Greece, the word “telos” was used to describe the purpose of something, the conclusion for which we strive. In business, we can think about this in terms of our careers: if your goal is to become a CEO, that’s your telos. However, when the letter “a” (or alpha, in Ancient Greek) stands in front of a word, it functions similarly to the English word “not” or “un.” Essentially, it negates the word that comes after it. So the fear of making mistakes is really a fear of not being able to reach your telos.

I have consulted many companies with employees who avoid making decisions out of fear of making a mistake. It isn’t that they’re uncertain of what to do—they are simply terrified that what they think is the right decision might turn out to be a major mistake. But if the word atelophobia shows us anything, it’s that the bigger mistake is the failure to make any sort of decision. Because ironically, it is the fear of making mistakes that causes people to make the biggest mistake of all. Therefore, it is your atelophobia that causes you to not reach your telos and keeps you from your dreams.

If you’re facing down the fear of making a mistake, there are a few strategies you can use to mitigate your stress. Personally, I think it is always a good idea to take it back to the basics and focus on your processes. Many of us believe that we can guarantee outcomes, but the truth is that every aspect of our future is uncertain. So what have you done lately to account for that uncertainty? Do you believe in your processes or are they just a placeholder? Decide how your company can identify the difference.

Another way that the fear of making mistakes can surface is through paralysis by analysis. All of us face tough choices, but there is a sweet spot for how much information you need before making a call. Communicate with other members of your team so that someone else can observe your process and offer advice if you are deviating from your normal routine. Remember that it's okay to stack a few easy wins for yourself, as well. Sometimes, the best way to break yourself out of a decision-making rut is to choose decisions that provide immediate gratification. If you’re having difficulty chasing a whale, look at the water again. Most likely, there are minnows swimming right in front of you.