Lesson 6 by Martin Johnson – Desensitise yourself to fear through repetition
In leadership, fear rarely disappears on its own. High-pressure moments, difficult conversations, and visible responsibilities naturally trigger discomfort. Yet leaders who avoid these situations often find their confidence shrinking rather than growing, reinforcing hesitation instead of resilience.
Lesson 6 of leadership by Martin Johnson explores a powerful but often overlooked principle: confidence is built through repetition. By deliberately stepping into uncomfortable situations again and again, leaders learn to manage fear rather than be governed by it. Over time, what once felt intimidating becomes familiar, controlled, and ultimately empowering. At T2 -The People Performance People, this idea sits at the heart of sustainable leadership development.
This lesson addresses what many describe as a modern “comfort crisis”, where limited exposure to challenge leaves individuals and teams underprepared for inevitable pressure. The solution is intentional practice: progressively stretching beyond the comfort zone, building psychological resilience, and developing the calm confidence that defines effective leadership.
Lesson 6 - Desensitise yourself to fear through repetition
Through the power of repetition, you can desensitise yourself to fear. Leaders must push themselves repeatedly into uncomfortable situations. If you do something that terrifies you enough times, eventually you learn to control the feelings rather than being controlled by them. That’s how you build genuine confidence.
This principle addresses the “comfort crisis” affecting many of today’s leaders and their teams. Without regular exposure to discomfort, people become ill-equipped to handle challenges when they inevitably arise. The solution is deliberate practice in uncomfortable situations.
My own transformation from terrified first-time speaker to confident keynote presenter illustrates this process. The key was continuing to push myself into speaking situations until the fear became manageable. Each exposure built psychological resilience and expanded my comfort zone.
Leaders must actively seek situations that stretch their capabilities. This might be having difficult conversations, presenting to senior stakeholders, or taking on unfamiliar challenges.
The military’s approach to desensitisation is systematic – gradually increasing difficulty while providing support and structure. Business leaders can apply this by starting with smaller challenges and progressively taking on bigger risks, always with adequate preparation and support systems in place.
More About Martin Johnson
Martin Johnson is the founder and CEO of T2 The People Performance People, a consultancy at the forefront of leadership development, working with elite sports teams, global businesses, and public sector organisations. His journey from the Royal Navy to leadership consultancy has shaped a philosophy that blends performance psychology with real-world leadership practice.
Now celebrating its 10th year, T2 partners with organisations including INEOS Grenadiers, Manchester United, Specsavers, and Reckitt, helping leaders build confidence, collaboration, and capability that lasts.
This article is part of our 10 Lessons of Leadership series, celebrating 10 years of T2. Each month, we’ll share a new lesson from our CEO, Martin Johnson, designed to give leaders practical insights they can apply straight away.
This article is part of our 10 Lessons of Leadership series, celebrating 10 years of T2. Each month, we’ll share a new lesson from our CEO, Martin Johnson, designed to give leaders practical insights they can apply straight away.
Watch our journey. Be part of it!
Missed any of the previous lessons?
