Be Fearless

To make transformational change happen, you must replace your fears with the courage to act and embrace a fearless mindset.

1. Think Big by Making Bold Bets

Fearless change often begins with a daring vision that defies common beliefs, what Jean Case calls a "Big Bet." These ambitious goals capture attention and challenge the status quo.

JFK exemplified this by declaring that the United States would land a man on the moon within a decade, even though the technology required didn’t exist at the time. This inspiring vision galvanized innovation and collaboration to achieve the unthinkable—an achievement that altered humanity's relationship with space.

Everyday trailblazers also demonstrate this principle. Rachel Sumekh started Swipe Out Hunger during her UCLA days to address student hunger. By allowing students to donate unused food card money, she disrupted traditional aid methods and spread the initiative across over 30 campuses, delivering millions of meals.

Elon Musk embodies Big Bets with his audacious goal to colonize Mars by 2030 through SpaceX and his revolutionary push toward sustainable transport with Tesla. His bold moves have spurred rapid progress in space exploration and renewable energy.

Examples

• JFK's moon-landing declaration inspired global innovation.
• Rachel Sumekh addressed student hunger with Swipe Out Hunger.
• Elon Musk energized exploration with SpaceX and Tesla.

2. Question the Way Things Are

The fearless take action by challenging the assumption, "that's just how it is." They rethink old habits and look ahead to imagine a better future.

David Gilboa and Neil Blumenthal founded Warby Parker after noticing the unjustly high cost of glasses. By questioning the traditional notion of in-person eyewear shopping, they revolutionized the industry. Warby Parker introduced affordable online sales, becoming a billion-dollar company.

In the early days of the internet, many dismissed its potential. Jean Case herself joined the team shaping America Online (AOL) despite critics doubting its future. Her vision to connect people through the web contributed to AOL’s success as a leading internet pioneer.

Astro Teller and Google’s X lab challenged the traditional internet infrastructure by creating balloon-powered internet. Initially seen as an unlikely idea, this innovation helped reconnect Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria.

Examples

• Warby Parker questioned eyewear's accessibility and affordability.
• Jean Case joined AOL based on her belief in the internet’s potential.
• X lab’s balloon internet tackled crisis response creatively.

3. Great Changes Require Discomfort

Game-changing work requires stepping out of comfort zones. Those who wish to make an impact must embrace uncertainty and take bold, risky chances.

Jean Case honors Eliza Scidmore, an intrepid journalist and the first female National Geographic board member, for exemplifying this principle. Scidmore traveled to remote regions like Alaska and Korea in the 1880s, defying societal norms to produce groundbreaking work.

Marginalized groups often challenge discomfort daily. Breaking barriers in workplaces dominated by other demographics helps redefine “normal” and encourages representation. The author's own journey as the first female Chairman of the National Geographic Society illustrates how boldness fosters change.

Trailblazers also see calculated risks as opportunities. By daring to step outside safe routines, they uncover groundbreaking ideas that might otherwise go untouched.

Examples

• Eliza Scidmore took risks to deliver pioneering work in her time.
• Jean Case faced challenges as National Geographic Society's first female Chairman.
• Bold individuals continuously redefine societal and professional boundaries.

4. Build on the Work of Others

Fearless efforts don’t exist in isolation; they often connect to and enhance past breakthroughs. Viewing progress as a team effort amplifies success.

Thomas Edison didn’t invent in a vacuum; he built upon pre-existing advancements while fine-tuning ideas. His light bulb’s success relied on synthesizing earlier concepts, making tangible progress possible through collaboration.

Farmer Justin Knopf used the no-tilling method to retain nutrients in soil after learning how it curbed erosion during the US Dust Bowl era. His results were transformative, doubling crop yields and prompting an agricultural movement.

Community collaboration can ignite rapid solutions. During the 2014 Ebola outbreak, a seamstress tackled faulty hazmat suit designs effectively—highlighting how creative partnerships yield unexpected success.

Examples

• Edison refined earlier ideas to perfect the light bulb.
• Farmer Justin Knopf scaled up no-tilling for agriculture.
• A seamstress revolutionized safety solutions during the Ebola crisis.

5. Embrace Failure as Progress

Failures are stepping stones toward great achievements. Those with a fearless mindset understand their value and approach them as learning experiences.

Astro Teller at X lab celebrates failure. Teams actively try to disprove their ideas during development stages. Failures reveal flawed concepts early, saving resources and paving the way for stronger innovations.

Jean Case’s foundation welcomes failures in pursuit of innovative results. A no-failure record could signal risk-averse thinking—and for truly bold projects, failure is natural.

Warren Buffett’s success stems from his willingness to wait out failures. He focuses on long-term growth rather than short-term losses, demonstrating how patience aligns with learning from setbacks.

Examples

• Astro Teller encourages learning from failed projects at X lab.
• The Case Foundation sees failures as proof of boldness.
• Warren Buffett embraces delayed payoffs by investing long-term.

6. Step Outside Your Bubble

People grow when they leave familiar environments. World-changing ideas often arise when diverse minds collaborate.

Jean Case regularly connects with communities across the US to confront the misconceptions of dying cities like Detroit or Pittsburgh. She highlights Detroit's economic revival fueled by partnerships like Dan Gilbert's company Quicken Loans relocating employees to reinvest in the city.

During the 2010 NASA-Lego partnership, Lego sets aboard the International Space Station inspired youthful imaginations while strengthening STEM awareness—unusual alliances create lasting impact.

Breaking personal bubbles helps individuals see life through different lenses, expanding awareness while forging partnerships.

Examples

• Jean Case learns firsthand from Detroit's resurrection efforts.
• The NASA-Lego partnership inspired students through creativity.
• Cross-industry pairings innovate by uniting unlikely perspectives.

7. Act When Urgency Calls

Urgency fuels action by jolting us out of hesitation. Crises often ignite bold initiatives that ripple outward.

Chef José Andrés extended his culinary activism globally with the World Hunger Kitchen. In Puerto Rico alone, his organization coordinated millions of disaster-relief meals after Hurricane Maria’s devastating toll.

Warby Parker adopted the “buy a pair, give a pair” model to address a global eyewear crisis. For every sale, a donation ensures access for someone in need.

Crisis-tackling initiatives show how pressure accelerates progress, enabling meaningful responses to systemic challenges.

Examples

• José Andrés ramped up disaster-relief meals globally.
• Warby Parker extended vision aid worldwide.
• Pressure-tested responses birth strong collective action.

8. Avoid Overthinking; Take Action

Fearless people often find that hesitation prevents bold moves. Acting first and addressing challenges later leads to greater movement.

Bertha and Harry Holt’s instant adoption of Korean children propelled them into lobbying Congress, altering existing laws to help homeless children legally. Their work evolved into philanthropic adoption initiatives that continue to this day.

Brené Brown advises against wasting time seeking “perfect conditions.” Instead, meaningful actions emerge through constant adjustments.

Starting small enables big change. Volunteering nearby and building connections can grow into impactful campaigns for tackling social issues.

Examples

• The Holts lobbied for new adoption laws, transforming family dynamics.
• Brené Brown emphasizes small actions over perfect moments.
• Small beginnings lead to major grassroots successes.

9. Diversity Drives Results

Diverse perspectives improve outcomes, especially within teams. Talent across gender, ethnicity, and experience creates stronger solutions.

A McKinsey study in 2018 revealed companies prioritizing gender-ethnic diversity performed significantly better financially. Despite this, female/minority entrepreneurs still receive only a tiny fraction of venture capital funding.

Promoting inclusivity allows all voices to contribute—foundational for dismantling systemic biases operational worldwide.

Examples

• McKinsey studies reported higher returns for diversity-heavy firms.
• Lack of equity diminishes opportunities for up-and-coming entrepreneurs.
• Intentional change often requires commitment through allyship.

Takeaways

1. Take a risky Big Bet today by thinking of a bold goal that excites you—and start making it a reality.
2. Learn from failures by carefully observing what's working and adapting to improve.
3. Build partnerships beyond your comfort zone by reaching out to someone with skills or perspectives you don’t already have.